Antibody elution

[2] This procedure aids in the investigation of antibodies that are difficult to identify, distinguishing transfusion reactions, hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn, and warm autoantibody workups.

[4] Red blood cell membranes consist of a phospholipid bilayer, littered with proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and combinations of these substances.

[7] Of these antigens, only a handful are considered clinically significant, meaning that they can stimulate the production of antibodies capable of causing red cell hemolysis.

Examples of blood group systems that contain antigens capable of inducing clinically significant alloantibodies (antibodies against non-self antigens) include, but are not limited to the ABO, Rh, Kell, Duffy, Kidd, and MNS blood group systems.

[1] Characteristics of clinically significant antibodies include: reactive at body temperature (37°C), immunoglobulin (Ig) class G, IgM that reacts at body temperature, ability to cross the placenta, ability to cause red blood cell destruction, and/or antibodies directed against commonly known clinically significant red cell antigens.

The K antibody reacts at 37°C, is IgG, capable of crossing the placenta, and known to cause immediate red blood cell destruction.

The presence of autoantibodies directed against self red blood cell antigens can complicate the antibody identification process.

When this agglutination is observed, the antiglobulin test is considered positive for the detection of the antibody and/or antigen(s) present.