When testing for A subgroups, do hospitals routinely test the patient's plasma with A2 cells along with A1 lectin testing on the red cells even when the A1 lectin is positive?

Certainly, in the UK, this is not, to say the least, a routine procedure.

I only use the A1 lectin if I am dealing with a reverse grouping discrepany (grA backtypes as an O).

Same as David.  

No.  If the patient's red cells demonstrate a positive reaction when tested with Anti-A1 Lectin it indicates that the patient is an A1 individual (and there is no reason to test the patient's plasma against A2 cells.)

Actually, I have to disagree L106, as, if the anti-A₁ being used is Dolichos biflorus, this lectin will also detect Tn activation and Cad polyagglutinability - both highly unlikely, but both possible.

 

Sorry!

Dang!  I should have slipped in  "probably is an A1 individual".  (You are very alert for a Monday morning!)

 

 

Donna

Ah Donna, but it Monday evening here - and I've got to stay alert as Dee (my wife) has gone to A&E having sliced the top off her index finger in the kitchen (looks like a killing field out there at the moment), and so I am waiting up to see how she is.  Good job she'd finished cooking dinner first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh no...hope your wife is OK, Malcolm. And I hope for your sake that she does not EVER see your comment about your dinner.

Yes thanks Terri, she's back home now and feeling fine - although I suspect that once the shock wears off, it will be mighty painful.  Have no fears for me - she will never read the post about the dinner.  If she does, PathLabTalk will have one less member!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ah Donna, but it Monday evening here - and I've got to stay alert as Dee (my wife) has gone to A&E having sliced the top off her index finger in the kitchen (looks like a killing field out there at the moment), and so I am waiting up to see how she is.  Good job she'd finished cooking dinner first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks everyone for your insight!  Malcolm, do you see any clinical benefit to testing the patient's plasma with commercial A2 cells. 

Does anyone see any clinical value in testing the patient's plasma with commercial A2 cells?

Does anyone see any clinical value in testing the patient's plasma with commercial A2 cells?

 

not on a routine basis - only for need.

Thanks everyone for your insight!  Malcolm, do you see any clinical benefit to testing the patient's plasma with commercial A2 cells. 

 

Quite frankly - No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The only time I have ever known of A subgroups to matter is when they cause a type discrepancy or in the case of kidney transfusion.  I remember doing anti-A1 titers on a potential kidney recipient to see if the subgroup recipient could tolerate an A1 donor.