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Implementing mass-scale red cell genotyping at a blood center
Willy A Flegel1, Jerome L Gottschall2,3, Gregory A Denomme3
1Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
Transfusion
|June 23, 2015
Summary
Mass-scale red cell genotyping of blood donors provides a reliable method for identifying antigen-negative blood. This approach significantly improves blood availability and reduces the need for traditional serologic testing.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Genetics
- Immunology
Background:
- Traditional methods for identifying compatible blood rely on time-consuming serologic testing.
- Red cell genotyping offers a reliable DNA-based alternative for detecting clinically important blood group antigens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate mass-scale red cell genotyping for blood donors.
- To assess the availability of genotyped blood units.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping was performed on non-Caucasian donors and repeat donors using an electronic open array platform.
- Screening identified 32 single-nucleotide polymorphisms predicting 42 blood group antigens.
- Phenotyping confirmed genotypes when antigen-negative units were required.
Main Results:
- Over 4 years, 43,066 donors were genotyped, with a 0.52% discordance rate between genotyping and phenotyping.
- A mean of 29% of the daily inventory had a genotype in the final study year.
- The database successfully met antigen-negative blood requests.
Conclusions:
- Mass-scale red cell genotyping establishes a stable supply of genotyped red blood cell units.
- This method enables the abandonment of serologic screening for antigen-negative blood.
- Genotyping enhances transfusion services' ability to meet patient needs efficiently.
