Additional Information

Detects presence/absence of the A and B antigens on the red blood cells and the corresponding antibodies in the plasma. In some patients (eg newborns, elderly, or immunocomprimised patients), the expected ABO antobodies may be weak or missing. The test may be limited in its ability to detect some subgrops of type A patients. A direct antiglobulin test includes testing with a polyspecific antihuman and monospecific reagents (anti-IgG and anti-C3b-C3d) except cord blood which is tested with anti-IgG antihuman serum only. Eluates from positive cells are prepared and antibody identification performed as indicated on recently transfused patients, for investigation of immune hemolytic anemia, transfusion reactions cause by red cell incompatibility, and investigation of hemolytic disease of the newborn. Agglutination of red blood cells in the presence of antihuman serum is a positive test result which indicates the presence of human IgG and/or complement (C3b and/orC3d) on the red blood cells. Methods detect IgG immunoglobulins or complement absorbed on red cells for immune hemolytic anemias caused by antibody and/or complement components being bound to patient’s red cells, transfusion reactions due to red cell incompatibility and hemolytic disease of the newborn.