Colloidal gold immunostaining for the detection of platelet reactive allo- and autoantibodies. Use on fresh and frozen cells.
BACKGROUND
Fresh washed platelets are commonly used as target cells for the detection of platelet reactive antibodies. The use of stored platelets would allow a faster execution of the tests and a rapid selection of phenotyped cells.


METHODS
Glass-adherent platelet monolayers were freeze stored. The antigen-antibody reaction between platelet antigens and platelet reactive allo- or autoantibodies was revealed by a modified antiglobulin test, using colloidal gold-labeled anti-human IgG. Immunogold staining (IGS) was compared with the platelet suspension immunofluorescence test (PSIFT) and with the solid-phase red cell adherence assay (SPRCA). The reactivity of fresh and freeze-stored platelets was compared.


RESULTS
IGS proved to be slightly less sensitive (10%) than PSIFT and SPRCA: The results obtained with fresh and freeze-stored cells were scored identically.


CONCLUSIONS
The immunogold staining assay on freeze-stored platelets seems to be a convenient technical approach for platelet serology.
Borzini
P
P
Centro Trasfusionale, Ospedale San Gerardo, Monza, Italy.
Riva
M
M
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000276:immunology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005615:Freezing; D006046:Gold; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D010641:Phenotype; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007518:Isoantibodies; D006046:Gold