The detection of blood group phenotypes using paper diagnostics

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Diagnostics
• Materials Science
• Immunology

Background:

• Paper biodiagnostics offer a novel, cost-effective, and rapid approach to blood typing.
• Current paper-based methods are limited to ABO and RhD blood group phenotyping.
• Extending paper diagnostics to other red blood cell antigens remains unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of paper-based methods for detecting red blood cell antigens beyond the ABO and RhD systems.
• To explore the potential of paper diagnostics for a wider range of blood group phenotyping.

Main Methods:

• Two paper-based testing methods, elution and direct flow-through, were employed.
• The study evaluated the detection of multiple red blood cell antigens including Rh (C, c, E, e), Kell (K, k), Duffy (Fy(a), Fy(b)), Kidd (Jk(a), Jk(b)), MNS (M, N, S, s), P1, and Lewis (Le(a), Le(b)).
• Reaction time and reagent concentration were optimized, and the role of antibody type (IgM vs. polyclonal) was assessed.

Main Results:

• Successful agglutination and detection were achieved for several blood group phenotypes using IgM antibodies, including C, c, E, e, K, k, Jk(a), Jk(b), and P1.
• Weaker antibody-antigen interactions resulted in reduced agglutination for some phenotypes.
• Blood groups requiring only polyclonal antibodies presented challenges and require further investigation.

Conclusions:

• Paper biodiagnostics demonstrate potential as an alternative tool for blood grouping.
• The method is effective for selected blood group phenotypes, particularly those with readily available IgM antibodies.
• Further research is needed to optimize detection for blood groups with limited antibody availability.