[Evaluation of microtest in dextran gel for blood group serology]

Microtest in gel was compared to the traditional, immunohaematological methods. Blood samples of 1.032 persons were tested. From the results presented in this paper we conclude that Gel-test is specific, clear, easy to perform and more sensitive than the traditional methods. It can be used for red cell phenotyping and antibody detection as well. By this technique it was possible to establish the specificity of antibodies of Rh system not found by any other method. The advantage of this test is that nearly all unspecific reactions could be eliminated. The disadvantage concerned the high sensitivity in the detection of cold, clinically insignificant allo- and autoantibodies. Therefore, some modifications for the elimination of these unfavourable reactions were introduced.