Hi all,
I'm still a relatively new blood banker and was wondering if you all would be willing to shed some light on the different methods of blood banking? We currently use solid phase but will be switching to gel next year.
I have some questions regarding each method but also wanted to see what seasoned techs have experienced with them.
Solid-phase:
Incubation @ 37 with potentiator
Wash
AHG
Read
Pros: Sensitive
Cons:
Question: Won't pick up on clinically insignificant cold autos because of less exposure to cold temperature during the process? Or is it due to something else? Good to use with insignificant cold auto if you don't want to pick them up on screen?
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Gel:
Incubation @ 37 on top chamber, with potentiator?
No washing
Spinning down through the matrix containing AHG
Pros: Very sensitive
Cons: Will pick up insignificant colds due to the chamber temperature and matrix can catch IgM? Rouleaux
Notes: IgM remains as there's no washing
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LISS Tube (skipping IS phase):
Incubation at 37 with LISS
Reading (for strong IgM or IgG)
Wash (removing unbound Abs)
Add AHG
Read (for IgG)
Pros: Not too sensitive, not too weak
Cons: Won't pick up weak antibodies
Question: Won't pick up insignificant warm because LISS isn't strong enough? (Such as weak warm auto) Good to use when not wanting to pick up warm auto on screen?
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PEG Tube:
Read at IS (for IgM)
Add PEG, incubate at 37 (30min inc. might pick up insignificant Abs?)
Wash
Add AHG
Read (for IgG)
Pros: Strong than LISS
Cons:
Please feel free to share any thoughts or experience.