Performing the direct antiglobulin test without using tubes
A medical technologist in Ottawa wonders if colleagues are using the Diamed-ID, DC-Screening II card (which contains microtubes with anti-IgG [rabbit], anti-C3d [monoclonal] and a negative control) to perform direct antiglobulin tests. A description of the Card may be found in this PDF insert. Her laboratory currently uses the MTS Anti-IgG, -C3d Card for direct antiglobulin testing. This card contains microtubes with polyspecific (rabbit) mixtures of Anti-IgG and Anti-C3d. If a sample demonstrates a positive DAT with the MTS Anti-IgG, -C3d Card, they reflex to use a Diamed-ID, DC-Screening II card to specify which coating protein (IgG or C3) is causing the DAT to be reactive. They wonder what has been the experience of other facilities with the use of these reagents.
The following comments have been received.
ADDENDA Jan. 28, 2009
- A lead technologist of a transfusion service at a hospital in Ontario Canada reports that her staff have been using the Diamed IgG/C3d/Ctl cards for about 3 years and have found them less complicated to use and easier to interpret than the tube C3d test.
Submit comments to the e-Network Forum at enetworkforum@cbbsweb.org
Ira A. Shulman, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Editor & Moderator
W. Tait Stevens, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Assistant Editor & Moderator
The e-Network Forum is supported in part by the California Blood Bank Society (CBBS) and the American Red Cross Blood Services (ARCBS) and endorses collegial discussion among blood banking and transfusion medicine professionals. However, neither the CBBS nor the ARCBS in any way endorse the specific views and opinions expressed in the forum. The forum is not intended as a substitute for medical or legal advice and the content should not be relied upon for any medical or legal purposes. Readers should make their own determinations as to: (i) what constitutes appropriate medical, technical, and administrative practices, and (ii) how best to comply with laws and regulations relevant to their questions. For the latter, they should consider consulting, as to any medical matters, a qualified physician, and, as to any legal matters, an attorney familiar with related state and federal laws. The user of the forum, by accessing same, assumes all risks arising out of such use and releases CBBS and their respective members, directors, officers and agents from and against any loss, damage, claim or liability arising out of such use of the Forum.
