Report of bubbles in the columns of ABD gel cards

A colleague reports a problem that they have observed at their facility with ABD Gel cards. Their recent batch of ABD Gel cards have bubbles in the columns, as shown in the pictures. (Click HERE to view image.) He wonders if this problem is restricted to only to his institution's supply of Gel cards. However, just in case this is a more generalized problem, he suggests that others carefully examine their Gel cards. If you use the ABD cards please share if you do or do not see bubbles.

The following comments have been received.

ADDENDA Mar. 29, 2004

1. A colleague in Michigan reports: "We too are seeing the bubbles, and they do interfere with testing."

ADDENDA Mar. 30, 2004

2. An Australian blood banker reports that his laboratory has also seen bubbles from time to time in Gel Cards. In his experience, the bubbles have not been restricted to just ABD cards. It is his impression that this is happening either at manufacturing or during transport.
   
   
3. A colleague who used to be involved with marketing of Gel Cards in the past reports that bubbles may become apparent in the cards if they are transported in a rough manner. He reports that bubbles may also form if the cards are not stored upright. He mentions that the bubbles can be made to disappear if the cards are spun in a card centrifuge once before use. However, he did not offer evidence that the cards functioned properly in tests after being spun to dissipate the bubbles.

Editor's query: What has been the experience of colleagues who have tried to dissipate bubbles by spinning them away? Have validation studies been done to show that the cards work properly when used in testing (and spun a second time?)

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