A semiautomated method for erythrocyte antigen typing on microtitration plates

We describe a method for erythrocyte antigen typing on U-bottom microtitration plates. This method permitted phenotyping of erythrocytes by an enzyme-enhanced hemagglutination assay simultaneously with an indirect antihuman globulin assay within the same microtitration plate. A robotic sample processor identified the samples, prepared the red cell suspensions and distributed the suspension along with the diluted antisera onto the microtitration plates. The assay results were read and interpreted using a microtitration plate photometer controlled by software specially designed to interpret agglutination reactions. Sample identities and assay results were automatically connected by the computer system and transmitted to a minicomputer system.