title: Detection of Rh antibodies using two low ionic diluents: extension of the incubation time and the number of Rh antibodies detected.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Low ionic strength solution (LISS) is used to increase the rate of association of antibody to the corresponding antigen during antibody detection tests. A number of LISSs are available on the market.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The efficiency of two commercial low ionic diluents, DiaMed ID-CellStab and Inverclyde LISS were assessed using the DiaMed-ID LISS Coombs microtube column system and an incubation time varying from 15 to 35 min.
  
  
  METHODS
  One-hundred samples containing five Rh antibodies (anti-D, anti-C, anti-E, anti-c and anti-e) were tested against commercial red cells using the two low ionic diluents after 15, 25 and 35 min.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Inverclyde LISS detected 91, 95 and 96% of the Rh antibodies compared to 78, 79 and 83% for ID-CellStab after 15, 25 and 35 min incubation time, respectively, for both methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Inverclyde LISS is a more suitable and efficient diluent than ID-CellStab for the detection of Rh antibodies. The sensitivity of Rh antibody detection increased for the both methods as the incubation time increased.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Al-Azhar University-Gaza, Gaza, Palestine. 16/46 Omar Al-Mokhtar Street, AL-Rimal, Gaza, Palestine. y_skaik@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Y A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Skaik
mesh_terms: D003298:Coombs Test / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012996:Solutions / Q000592:standards; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007518:Isoantibodies; C033242:RH-antibodies; D012996:Solutions