Blood bank reagents: some problems related to preservatives and dyes

Occasionally the additives used for the storage, preservation, and coloring of blood bank reagents are a source of anomalous a-glutination reactions. Discrepancies in ABO cell and serum grouping or agglutination of cells used for both antibody detection and identification may be related to the presence of these materials in blood bank reagents. These substances include acriflavin and other dyes; antibiotics, such as penicillin and neomycin; EDTA; caprylate; and occasionally saline. The literature is reviewed regarding this problem.