Hello!

 

In our lab, we are studying the implementation for MMA

 

Is someone running this technique?

 

Which protocol do you use?

 

Which "recipe" are you using?

 

Thanks!

From what I have read this assay has not performed up to expectations . . . (monocyte monolayer?)

I agree David.

Agree with David and Malcolm.

I know ARC pen jersey region used to offer this technique, not any more.

I know ARC pen jersey region used to offer this technique, not any more.

 

They still do! We had it performed recently with very interesting results.

The Monocyte Monolayer Assay has been used successfully for over 30 years in the USA to predict the outcome of incompatible transfusion in the face of an antibody to a high prevalence antigen. These results have been extremely useful in the stewardsip of the Rare Blood Supply since a negative result means that the patient can be transfused random products for that tranfusion. If the patient is transfused, another MMA must be performed before another random transfusion can be given and be performed as close to the time of the next transfusion as possible. This assay is performed in the National Reference Laboratory for Blood Group Serology at the American Red Cross in Philadelphia and in the research laboratory that was under Dr George Garratty at the American Red Cross in Southern California as well as at least two other centers in the USA.

 

The American Rare Donor Program recommends that an MMA be performed in cases where rare blood is not available.  In fact, this was the topic of the 2014 Sally Frank Award Program at teh Annual AABB Meeting. This assay is perfomed in a number of centers in the USA. In recent years, other countries have requested training in MMA (Switzerland, Brazil, South Africa) because of the usefulness in transfusion recommendations. If any centers have an interest in MMA implementation, i would recommend one on one training in a center that is performing the assay. It is not complicated, but is technically demanding.

Sandra Nance, MS, MT(ASCP)SBB

Sr Director, IRLs

American Red Cross