Comparison of ABO Isoagglutinin Titers by Different Tube Hemagglutination Techniques / 대한수혈학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The ABO isoagglutinin titer is useful for the evaluation and observation of ABO incompatible bone marrow transplantation or organ transplantation, yet the results can be different depending on the test methods. Measurement of isoagglutinin titer using the gel test has recently been reported, but this test is expensive. In this study, we investigated isoagglutinin titer distribution of normal individuals using the different tube hemagglutination technique to help select the best test method and to interpret the agglutinin titer. METHODS: Normal healthy individuals were selected from those patients who underwent a physical examination at Ajou University Hospital, during July 2009. Sixty healthy individuals, (10 men and 10 women per each ABO blood group) were recruited for the study. The immediate spin method (IS), the anti-human globulin method with dithiothreitol treatment (DTT-AHG) and the anti-human globulin method without DTT treatment (AHG) were performed simultaneously. The reciprocal of the highest serum dilution that showed macroscopic agglutination 1+ or more was regarded as the isoagglutinin titer. RESULTS: The isoagglutinin titer measured by the AHG was the highest in the all blood groups. In case of blood groups A and B, the isoagglutinin titer by the IS was higher than that by the DTT-AHG, but this was quite the reverse in the case of the blood group O. CONCLUSION: If it is not necessary to distinguish IgM antibody and IgG antibody, then it seems that the AHG is the best practical method of those three methods. It was more sensitive than the IS and more rapid and easier than the DTT-AHG.