I became interested in the idea of screening for the U antigen when looking in Issit for information on the U antigen and anti-U. Apparently, McKeever, et.al performed a study, but Issit did not have any more information about any screening programs currently in place. Does any one have any information about this subject?

Thank you, Sharol

We had a tech in SBB school who studied the U antigen. She used Chown tubes and a commercial anti-U to screen patients and then formally tested those which were negative using the Chown tubes.

OK, I'm dumb!! What's a Chown tube??

Thanks for the response, what is a chown tube, and where can I find more information about it?

Chown tubes are capillary tubes with an internal diameter of 0.4mm. The technical manual used to have a procedure for using them. Basically, you load antisera and then a cell suspension. The tube is inverted so the cells have to fall through the antisera. The tube may be flipped so the cells fall through again. Reading is done with a hand lens. You can screen about 100 suspensions with 1 drop of antisera; or do panels on babies and convert it to AHG if necessary.

We used to do alot of typing by capillary tube methods - great savings on antisera. Older techs will probably remember this method.

Becky Thomas

My name is Roberto Porpino and I work in a blood bank in Recife- Brazil. I'd like very much to find many friends who works about antigens fenotyping, We coud talk about our experiences and perhaps we coud help ourselves. In Recife, I find U negative,first fenotyping s and everybody who is s neg , I fenotype for S. So, I've found some U-, because almost every S- s- is U-.

Sorry for my bad English !

I woud like very much to be your friend, because I love fenotyping donners and find the phenotip that the patient needs.

Edited August 23, 201014 yr by Roberto Porpino
I love fenotype donners

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