OBJECTIVE: Identification of DNT, a rare partial D, can be challenging, as it is difficult to distinguish from D+. This study aimed to identify DNT individuals by analyzing the DNT proband\'s family members, characterize DNT, and propose management strategies.
METHODS: Family members of the first Korean DNT proband were recruited. RHD genotyping was conducted, and weak D tests were carried out using several anti-D reagents.
RESULTS: Three DNT individuals were identified among 6 family members, including 1 with an anti-D alloantibody. As DNT red cells exhibited strong reactivity with all anti-D clones, DNT was serologically indistinguishable from D+. Moreover, unusual serologic findings in DNT individuals only became apparent after anti-D alloimmunization.
CONCLUSIONS: We recommend DNT individuals as candidates for Rh immune globulin prophylaxis during the perinatal period and transfusions with D- blood components. An anticipatory RHD genotyping is suggested for partial D family members to prevent potential partial D individuals from becoming alloimmunized.

To investigate the effect of AB0 and Rhesus factor expression blood group systems on outcomes of upper tract urothelial carcinoma patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy.
We analyzed data from 271 patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma who underwent radical nephroureterectomy at 3 German academic institutions. Cox and logistic regression models assessed the association of AB0 blood group antigen and Rhesus factor expression with tumor biologic features and outcomes, respectively.
In total, 119 patients (43.9%) had blood group antigen A0, 42 patients (15.4%) antigen B0, 15 patients (5.5%) antigen AB, and 95 patients (35.0%) the antigen 00. A total of 231 patients (85.2%) were Rhesus factor positive. The AB0 blood group antigen expression was associated with a higher tumor grade (P = 0.049) and sessile tumor architecture (P = 0.019). Both, AB0 blood group system and Rhesus factor expression, were associated with worse performance status (P = 0.024, and P = 0.003, respectively). In contrast, Rhesus factor expression status was not associated with any clinicopathologic characteristics. Neither the AB0 blood group antigens nor the Rhesus factor was associated with survival.
AB0 blood group antigens and Rhesus factor expression are not associated with survival. The association of the AB0 blood group antigens with adverse pathological features warrants further validation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of the AB0 and the Rhesus blood group system on outcomes of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC).
METHODS: We included 511 UCB patients treated with RC without neoadjuvant chemotherapy from 1996 to 2011 at our institution. Cox and logistic regression models assessed the association of the AB0 blood group antigen and Rhesus factor expression with tumor biologic features and outcomes, respectively.
RESULTS: In total, 216 patients (42.3 %) had the blood group antigen A0, 73 patients (14.3 %) the antigen B0, 33 patients (6.4 %) the antigen AB and 189 patients (37.0 %) the antigen 00. In addition, 414 patients (81.0 %) were Rhesus factor positive. The AB0 blood group antigen expression was associated with a higher tumor grade (p = 0.003). In contrast, the Rhesus factor was not associated with any clinicopathologic characteristics. Neither the AB0 blood group antigens nor the Rhesus factor was associated with survival. In a sensitivity analysis of patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, however, the blood group antigen AB expression was associated with reduced cancer-specific and overall survival.
CONCLUSIONS: The AB0 blood group antigens and the Rhesus factor are not associated with survival. Although the AB0 blood groups and the Rhesus factor are analyzed in every patient treated with RC, they do not represent appropriate biomarkers for UCB outcome prognostication. The association of the AB0 blood group antigens with response to adjuvant chemotherapy requires further validation.