Hi All,

I'm brand new to this forum & would like some help from you all if you'd be so kind!

I'm teaching a large group of experienced serologists about autoantibodies in a couple of weeks. The attendees will be mainly hospital based & would refer these cases on to a specialist lab. So their experience of the serology involved would be limited.

My question is if you were attending what would you really like to hear about? I have some nice case studies to talk through ranging from easy to complex. What else would spark some debate?

Thank you!

I've sent you an email Fluffy Agglutinates.

You'll find it in the Private Messages bit of the website.

has anyone links / text for selection of blood for patients with autoantibodies

I realise we need to avoid producing an allo antibody but can't find references to this in print

Thanks

Dear Fluffy agglutinates

I am sure Malcolm's message will contain undoubted pearls of wisdom, however from a hospital TL point of view the things I would expect staff to understand from a course on autoantibodies are, off the top of my head and no particular order:

1) How do you in RCI determine what's there when the antibody/antobodies appear to be pan reacting.

2) Do the autoantibodies shorten the survial of the transfused cells

3) How do you ensure the red cells issued are ok to issue.

4) How do you phenotype the patient when the DAT is positive

5) How often do you need repeat samples

6) Whats the turn round time for getting units - this is what the Dr's will be constantly asking the lab

7) What do you do if the patient is bleeding and blood is required urgently

8) Can the autoantibodies be surpressed

9) What causes auto antibodies to be produced

10) Are they significant in a pregnant patient ? will they affect the baby

11) How do manage a patient who needs weekly transfusions

Hope my random thoughts help, and good luck with the course.

Colin

Don't know if this is any good to you Colin, but it may answer some of your questions (but not all).

If you go to the top of the page and click on "Library", then click on "Educational Material", then go to page 2 of the list, there is a Powerpoint lecture on "The Laboratory Investigation of Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia", with an accompanying Word document (I think). You are more than welcome to use this, if it is any good to you.

I think that Fluffy Agglutinates knows about this already.

Malcolm,

Thanks, I will look at it and as ever you are mine of useful facts and info.

My questions were aimed at providing insight for Fluffy Agglutinates into what people in hospitals might hope to learn from the proposed course.

Best and Seansonal wishes,

Colin

Thanks for that Colin.

Yes, I realise that was what you were posting, but I just wondered if it would be of use to you.

May you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Malcolm,

You have been a busy bee I have just been looking at the library and there is lots of very useful and helpful suff here - well done and thanks.

Colin

Ah, it's not all my work Colin; I was only the editor.

There were a lot of people who contributed to those lectures (although that aprticular one was a combination work by Grant Webb and me).

has anyone links / text for selection of blood for patients with autoantibodies

I realise we need to avoid producing an allo antibody but can't find references to this in print

Thanks

Try 'How I treat autoimmune hemolytic anemia in adults', by Lechner and Jager (Blood, 2010. 116. 1831-1838). It's a good start and has plenty of references.

Does anyone have any info on auto-antibody formation in sickle cell patients. We see it happen frequently but haven't been able to find references on on how it happens or what to do about it? I have heard that it is due to "hidden" antigens being exposed when cells sickle but have not been able to find it in writing. Thanks and I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

Hi Doglover,

You might try Petz and Garratty, Immune Hemolytic Anemias, 2nd edition, 2004, Chruchill Livingstone, pages 336-337.

Thanks for references , will keep me out of mischief for a while

happy xmas to all

Thanks John

found article easily as well