Experience in the detection of red cell antigens and HLA antigens in bloodstains

The red cell antigens A, B, H, C, CW, c, D, E, e, S, s, K, Fya, Fyb, Jka and Jkb can all be detected on bloodstained threads using a modified Landsteiner elution technique. Bloodstain material is often very limited in quantity and far from fresh so every effort is made to produce optimum conditions throughout the test including extension both of the absorption period and the elution time, using a low concentration of indicator cells and the use of LISS. Detection of the HLA antigens in stains is less advanced but inhibition of the lymphocytotoxicity of HLA sera by bloodstained threads has produced some promising results in experiments involving the HLA-A1, A2, B8 and CW3 antigens.