[Positive direct antiglobulin test (DAGT) using the gel system]

In the gel test system the direct antiglobulin test (DAGT) shows a considerably higher sensitivity than in the tube test. Some 40% of gel test positive DAGTs prove to be negative when tested in the tube system. Most of the (auto-)antibodies detected by gel test DAGT appear to be bound integrally to the patient's own red cells and therefore are of questionable importance in view of future blood transfusions. The high sensitivity of the gel test DAGT certainly is of interest but implicates unwanted additional work for the immune hematological laboratory.