Comparison between the Manual Method of Indirect Coombs via Gel Technology and Solid Phase Red Cell Adherence

Objective: An experiment was conducted to define the principle of the conventional tube technique, gel card technology, and solid-phase technology of blood transfusion. The study also highlights the test reactions and various methods of grading reactions for each technology. It further discusses the automated equipment available for each technology and compares the equipment, tests reactions, procedures, and sensitivity of these techniques. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on blood samples of 40 patients with positive indirect antiglobulin test at the Padmashree Diagnostics Center and the Bangalore Medical Services Trust, India. Tube and gel card method and solid-phase red cell adherence assay (SPRCA) were evaluated. Results: The results revealed SRPCA of 1+ in nine samples, 2+ in 15 samples, 3+ in 13 samples and 4+ in three samples, while the manual method yielded 1+ in 14 samples, 2+ in 13 samples, 3+ in 13 samples and 4+ in one sample. Conclusion: Solid-phase red cell adherence assay is more precise and capable of detecting red cell adherence assay than tube method and indirect Coombs test gel technology.