.jpg) | Meet our Technical Director: Jeanne Wall, MEd, MT(ASCP)SBB Jeanne has nearly 20 years experience in transfusion service and blood bank activities as the Blood Bank Supervisor at a midsized hospital blood bank, and then nearly 15 years experience with the American Red Cross in Compliance and Quality. Contact Jeanne: |
Currently we perform “weak D testing” on all the patient samples we test, which of your Anti-Ds should we consider using?
Either the ALBAclone® Anti-D delta or the ALBAclone® Anti-D blend will serve as an appropriate alternative to the reagents you are currently using. The Anti-D delta provides the extra advantage of providing the same results without requiring Indirect Antiglobulin Testing, saving time and additional reagent expense.
Currently we perform immediate spin testing on potential transfusion recipients, obstetric patients, and unit rechecks, which Anti-D should we consider using?
Either the ALBAclone® Anti-D alpha or ALBAclone® Anti-D beta will serve as an appropriate alternative to the reagent you are currently using. These Anti-Ds will detect most weak Ds, but not the DVI variant on immediate spin, and will not react with IAT. They also have the added benefit of being from different cell lines, but are both directed at the same D epitope limiting the likelihood of discrepant results.
Currently we perform “weak D testing” on newborns and/ or donors for product labeling, which of your Anti-Ds should we consider using?
Either the ALBAclone® Anti-D delta or the ALBAclone® Anti-D blend will serve as an appropriate alternative to the reagents you are currently using. The Anti-D delta provides the extra advantage of providing the same results as with a standard blend products without requiring Indirect Antiglobulin Testing, saving time and additional expense.
Is it possible to have Quotient Anti-D reagents from different cell lines, one that is appropriate for most transfusion patients and one capable of weak D testing for say cord blood?
Yes, there are two ALBAclone® product combinations that would meet your need. The Anti-D alpha is appropriate for most transfusion patients, while our Anti-D blend is from a different cell line but can detect weak-D through IAT. Additionally, our Anti-D beta also would be appropriate for transfusion patients, while the Anti-D delta is from a different cell line and can detect weak D at immediate spin.
Aren’t we required to perform weak D and partial D testing by an Indirect Antiglobulin Test method to meet regulatory requirements?
Not exactly. The requirement is to perform testing that will detect weak and partial Ds. While most reagents available are only able to detect weak or partial D using the Indirect Antiglobulin Test method, the method is not required. The ALBAclone® Anti-D delta is a FDA licensed product that can be used to test for weak and partial D, and thus does not require the IAT step, saving time and additional expense.
Do you offer an Anti-D that can be used to perform weak D testing on patients with Positive DAT?
The ALBAclone® Anti-D delta is a FDA licensed product for testing for weak and partial D without requiring Indirect Antiglobulin Testing. As long as the control is negative the D typing result can be considered valid using the Anti-D delta.
Do you have suggestions or cautions for a new user with your products?
In order to assure clear demonstration of weak and partial D antigens, our Anti-D reagents have potentiators that may exhibit a false positive reaction if the reagents or relevant samples are tested at 18°C or below. These reactions are easy to identify, as they generally weaken at 37°C.
The Anti-M reagent reacts optimally at pH 8.5 and is extremely sensitive to pH to allow for the testing to be completed with only 5 minutes of incubation. Buffered saline will affect pH levels, so be sure to utilize red cells suspended in unbuffered/ unstabilized normal saline.
Some manufacturers do not include Anti-A,B in their reagent Anti-A,B and instead mix Anti-A and Anti-B together, does Quotient’s product contain actual Anti-A,B?
Yes, Anti-A,B is included in the Quotient reagent so it will detect most weak subgroups of A, especially Ax. The reagent is an excellent choice for rechecking units and provides the information you need when attempting to resolve ABO discrepancies that are the result of weak subgroups of A.
Can Quant-Rho FITC Anti-D be used to replace Kleihauer-Betke Staining?
The Quant-Rho may be used to replace Kleihauer-Betke Staining in Rh Negative women who have experienced a large fetal Rh Positive maternal hemorrhage. The method uses flow cytometry to measure the actual number of fetal Rh Positive cells in the mother’s blood. This method provides the accuracy and reproducibility where you need it most, when calculating the RhIG dose to protect an Rh Negative mother.
What is all the hype about cell lines? As long as the reagent works, why should I care about cell lines?
Cell lines indicate the “pedigree” of the cells producing the antibody used in a monoclonal reagent. Each cell line actually has its own specificity and you will occasionally see differences between the reactions from different cell lines for the same antibody specificity. AABB Standards requires that IRLs have 2 examples of some antisera. The laboratory staff needs to determine the cell lines used in the reagents they purchase to make sure they have two examples because it is not unusual for multiple manufacturers to utilize the same cell line. Quotient primarily utilizes cell lines that have not been previously distributed in the United States and can aid IRLs in meeting this requirement.