One of the biggest challenges in the immunohematology laboratory is a sample where the plasma reacts with all screening and antibody identification red blood cells tested. This can be due to several reasons such as autoantibodies, a mixture of alloantibodies, an alloantibody to a high-prevalence antigen, or an ongoing treatment of the patient with monoclonal antibodies.
However, these samples can be approached in a stepwise manner that allows the laboratory professional to reach a resolution and determine the cause of the pan-reactivity. Good information prior to starting the investigation is important, as are using the right techniques and tools.
Jill R. Storry, PhD, will discuss how best to approach these samples in your laboratory in order to figure out these cases and ensure best patient care.
Jill R. Storry, PhD, FBBTS
Dr. Jill Storry is an Associate Professor at the Division of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University (LU), Sweden, and is responsible for the immunohematology laboratories within the Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Lund.