We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Clinical Specificity of RBC Alloantibodies Studied in Pregnant Women

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 05 Sep 2019
Print article
Image: The Ortho ProVue automated blood bank analyzer (Photo courtesy of Ortho Clinical Diagnostics).
Image: The Ortho ProVue automated blood bank analyzer (Photo courtesy of Ortho Clinical Diagnostics).
Maternal red cell immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies can cross the placenta and cause hemolysis of fetal red cells in case of antigenic differences between maternal and fetal red blood cells (RBCs), leading to hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN).

Although the incidence of anti-D associated HDFN has drastically reduced with Rh immune globulin prophylaxis, HDFN due to other maternal red cell alloantibodies still remains a concern. Prevalence and specificities of clinically significant red cell alloantibodies in pregnant females have rarely been reported in the USA.

Medical Laboratory Scientists at the Beaumont Hospital (Royal Oak, MI, USA) conducted a retrospective chart review to determine the prevalence and specificity of clinically significant red cell alloantibodies in pregnant females who delivered at the hospital between May 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017. A total of 4,545 pregnant females with a valid ABO/RhD type and valid red cell antibody screen were included. ABO/RhD typing and antibody screening were performed using the gel card methodology with automated blood bank analyzers Ortho ProVue, whereas the specificity of antibodies was identified with indirect antiglobulin testing using the manual gel card methodology.

The team reported that out of the 4,545 females, 440 had a positive red cell antibody screen. Of these 440 females, 34 had clinically significant alloantibodies, giving an overall prevalence of 0.74%. Anti-E was the most frequently identified significant alloantibody followed by anti-K. The most prevalent significant alloantibodies in RhD positive and RhD negative females were anti-E and anti-K, respectively. Significant association was found between RhD type and the presence of clinically significant alloantibodies amongst females with a positive antibody screen. Out of 34 females with clinically significant red cell alloantibodies, six (17.6%) females had more than one clinically significant alloantibody; all of them being multigravida, indicating a higher risk of multiple red cell alloimmunization with subsequent pregnancies.

The authors concluded that anti-E and anti-K were the two most frequently identified clinically significant red cell alloantibodies in their study population. The findings of the study aim to re-emphasize the importance of screening and detection of red cell alloantibodies early in pregnancy to help identify and appropriately manage high-risk pregnancies, in addition to increasing the understanding amongst pregnant females about these antibodies and the associated risk of HDFN. The study was published on August 13, 2019, in the Journal of Blood Medicine.

Related Links:
Beaumont Hospital

Gold Member
Antipsychotic TDM Assays
Saladax Antipsychotic Assays
Verification Panels for Assay Development & QC
Seroconversion Panels
New
Fecal DNA Extraction Kit
QIAamp PowerFecal Pro DNA Kit
New
Centrifuge
Hematocrit Centrifuge 7511M4

Print article

Channels

Microbiology

view channel
Image: Schematic representation illustrating the key findings of the study (Photo courtesy of UNIST)

Breakthrough Diagnostic Technology Identifies Bacterial Infections with Almost 100% Accuracy within Three Hours

Rapid and precise identification of pathogenic microbes in patient samples is essential for the effective treatment of acute infectious diseases, such as sepsis. The fluorescence in situ hybridization... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Pictorial representation of the working principle of a functionalized Carbon Dots CDs and EB based Func sensor (Photo courtesy of Toppari/University of Jyväskylä)

Innovative, Label-Free Ratiometric Fluorosensor Enables More Sensitive Viral RNA Detection

Viruses present a major global health risk, as demonstrated by recent pandemics, making early detection and identification essential for preventing new outbreaks. While traditional detection methods are... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: BIOTIA-ID is an NGS platform that accurately and sensitively diagnoses infectious disease-causing pathogens (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

New Collaboration to Advance Microbial Identification for Infectious Disease Diagnostics

With the rise of global pandemics, antimicrobial resistance, and emerging pathogens, healthcare systems worldwide are increasingly dependent on advanced diagnostic tools to guide clinical decisions.... Read more
Sekisui Diagnostics UK Ltd.