title: Evaluation of different testing methods for identification of RhIG in red blood cell antibody detection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  RhIG has had great success in protecting fetuses from potential harm; however, little work has been done to demonstrate how long RhIG reactivity is detected in the mother after administration when using common red blood cell antibody detection methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective investigation was performed examining positive antibody identification panels due to RhIG. These panels were run on solid-phase (SP) testing. The time to a positive result, length of detection, and positive strength of reactivity (PSR) were evaluated. Additionally, a comparative study was performed evaluating how sensitive SP, gel (GT), and tube testing (TT) were at detecting RhIG using serially diluted plasma samples spiked with different RhIG formulas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Retrospectively, most antibody identification panels by SP were positive 3.5 months after RhIG administration and demonstrated a strong PSR. The longest recorded positive panel was present at 4.5 months. RhIG administered intramuscularly could not be detected until several hours after injection. The comparative study showed that SP was the most sensitive method while GT and TT were comparable to one another in detecting RhIG. SP also recorded strong PSR at very low concentrations of RhIG. GT and TT recorded weak PSR even with higher concentrations of RhIG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SP is the most sensitive testing method and has the ability to detect RhIG 4 to 5 months after administration. TT and GT have the ability to detect RhIG up to 3 to 4 months after administration. Different RhIG formulas may show slightly different lengths of detection.
authors: Department of Pathology, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
authors: Kael V
authors: KV
authors: Mikesell
authors: Department of Pathology, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
authors: Melissa R
authors: MR
authors: George
authors: Department of Pathology, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
authors: William J
authors: WJ
authors: Castellani
authors: Department of Pathology, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
authors: Ronald E
authors: RE
authors: Domen
authors: Department of Transfusion Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Joy M
authors: JM
authors: Gould
authors: Department of Pathology, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
authors: Jerry W
authors: JW
authors: Davis
authors: Department of Transfusion Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Jay H
authors: JH
authors: Herman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007158:Immunologic Techniques / Q000379:methods; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012203:Rh Isoimmunization / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007518:Isoantibodies; D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin