title: Gel-test: interpretation and value of a new technique for the detection of irregular antibodies.
abstract: Here we report on our experience with the use of a 'Gel-Test' (DiaMed-ID Micro Typing System) technique for the detection and identification of irregular antibodies in a general hospital. This easy-to-use, standardized technique poses the question of the impact of its sensitivity on the specificity of the results. Of the 10% of observed positive reactions, 3.7% were irregular antibodies, 3.8% papain auto-antibodies, 1% cold antibodies and 2% not elucidated. Two hundred and eighteen irregular antibodies identified and titred with the 'gel-test' system were tested in parallel by 'tube' method. Sixty-three of these antibodies (29%) were not detected by the 'tube' method. While anti-Kell was always detected by both methods, we found the following false natives with the tube method: 15% anti-D, 32% anti-E, 42% anti-Cw and 58% anti-Lea. 68% of these false negatives had a low titre. The immunoglobulin class of the anti-E was studied; the sensitivity of the 'gel-test' system was associated with IgM in the anti-E. The sensitivity and standardization of the 'gel-test' technique guarantee greater safety in blood transfusion and increase efficiency in the prevention of foeto-maternal stimulation of anti-D.
authors.affiliation: Centre hospitalier de Corbeil-Essonnes, Service de Biologie du Dr H Baufine-Ducrocq, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pottier
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Quillet
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Baufine-Ducrocq
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001787:Blood Group Incompatibility / Q000097:blood; D001788:Blood Grouping and Crossmatching / Q000379:methods*; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods; D002850:Chromatography, Gel / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies