Research and identification of irregular antibodies: role of the Diamed gel technique compared to the classical technique

Abstract

The search for irregular agglutinins (RIA) is an essential examination for the immunological safety of transfusions. Among the many existing techniques, the best combination is the indirect Coombs technique (CI) and the enzyme technique (TE). Our study aimed to compare, for the detection of anti-Rh antibodies (D, C, c, E, e) and Kell, and for both techniques (CI and TE), the sensitivity of two reaction supports: tube (classical support) and gel. For this purpose, we tested 6 antibodies (6 test sera) diluted in physiological saline on both supports: tube and gel, and in both techniques (CI and TE). The result was a higher sensitivity of the gel technique compared to the tube technique: one to three dilutions, regardless of the technique used (CI and TE). Thus, the gel support would allow the detection of low-level anti-erythrocyte antibodies that the tube support could not visualize, such as in the case of early immunization.