title: MIMA-9, a valuable antibody for screening for rare donors.
abstract: Since monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) are potentially available in an unlimited volume, they can be used to screen numerous donor blood samples to identify antigen-negative donors. We have used a Mab (MIMA-9) with characteristics that allow for the simultaneous screening of RBCs of any ABO group for high-incidence antigen-negativity in the Kell and Gerbich blood group systems. MIMA-9, a murine IgG2a antibody, previously shown to facilitate the identification of K+k-, Kp(a+b-), K0, McLeod, or Ge:-3 red blood cells (RBCs), was used in MTS gel cards containing anti-mouse IgG as the second antibody to test 1134 K- donors. Among the 1134 donors tested, we found one Kp(a+b-) and one Ge:-2,-3,4 donor. If random donor samples had been used instead of preselecting for K-, we would have expected to identify two K+k- donors. One reagent (MIMA-9) can be used to simultaneously screen for K+k-, Kp(a+b-), K0, McLeod, and Ge:-3 RBCs and thereby conserve rare antisera. Inclusion of anti-mouse IgG in gel cards allowed for rapid screening. MIMA-9 is also a useful reagent to type RBCs with a positive direct antiglobulin test. This antibody is available to donor screening laboratories at no cost for this specific use.
authors.affiliation: Immunohematology Laboratory, New York Blood Center, 310 East 67th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tossas
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Øyen
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Halverson
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Malyska
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Reid