K, Fy(a), and Jk(a) phenotyping of donor RBCs on microplates

Area of Science:

• Transfusion Medicine
• Immunology
• Clinical Pathology

Background:

• Finding compatible blood for patients with red blood cell (RBC) alloantibodies is challenging.
• Routine donor phenotyping traditionally includes ABO and RhD antigens.
• Commonly significant RBC alloantibodies are directed against K, Fy(a), and Jk(a) antigens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of phenotyping blood donors for K, Fy(a), and Jk(a) antigens.
• To assess the utility of the PEG-IAT microplate method for routine donor phenotyping.

Main Methods:

• Phenotyping of 1031 donor blood samples for K, Fy(a), and Jk(a) using the indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) with PEG on microplates.
• Comparison of microplate method results with conventional IAT in tubes and the microcolumn gel test.

Main Results:

• The PEG-IAT microplate method yielded accurate results for K and Fy(a) typing, with computer-interpretable reactions.
• Indeterminate results for Jk(a) typing occurred in 1.4% of samples.
• The microplate method demonstrated reliability for routine phenotyping.

Conclusions:

• The PEG-IAT microplate method is a reliable technique for routine blood donor phenotyping.
• This method facilitates the creation of a readily available stock of phenotyped blood.
• Increased availability of phenotyped blood can improve transfusion compatibility and patient outcomes.