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[Irregular antibody screening by Groupamatic at the Paris (C.N.T.S.) and Toulouse (C.R.T.S.) blood transfusion
Abstract:
We report here the experience of 3 years of irregular antibody automated screening with Groupamatic, that is to say of 661,511 samples tested in Paris and 269, 162 samples tested in Toulouse. The positive reactions in Paris were 16,296 (2.46%) out of which 2,021 irregular antibodies were identified (0.30%). The positive reactions in Toulouse were 8,266 (3.07%) out of which 2,138 irregular antibodies were identified (0,79%). The difference between the number of screened positive reactions and the identified one is due to false positive reactions (half of the cases) and to autoantibodies whose number is roughly the same than the number of identified alloantibodies. During the years 1970, 1971 and 1972, the irregular antibodies were systematically screened in Toulouse on all blood donors with a manual technique on opaline plate using enzyme treated red cell tests (papain). 7,147 positive reactions were detected, out of 240,080 tests (2.98%). 1,954 (0,81%) were alloantibodies and 1,529 (0.64%) autoantibodies; 3.455 were false positive reactions and 209 were non identified antibodies. These figures are superimposed with those obtained with Groupamatic during the following years, thus pointing out the interest of this equipment.
Insights
Automated antibody screening using Groupamatic identified irregular antibodies in 0.30% of samples in Paris and 0.79% in Toulouse. This automated method showed comparable results to manual techniques, highlighting its utility in blood transfusion services.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Transfusion Medicine
Context:
- Blood screening is crucial for transfusion safety.
- Automated methods aim to improve efficiency and accuracy in antibody detection.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the performance of the Groupamatic automated system for irregular antibody screening over three years.
- To compare automated screening results with historical manual screening data.
Summary:
- The study analyzed 661,511 samples in Paris and 269,162 in Toulouse using the Groupamatic system.
- Positive reaction rates were 2.46% in Paris and 3.07% in Toulouse, with identified irregular antibodies at 0.30% and 0.79%, respectively.
- Manual screening in Toulouse from 1970-1972 yielded similar rates of alloantibodies (0.81%) and autoantibodies (0.64%), validating the Groupamatic system's efficacy.
Impact:
- The Groupamatic system demonstrates reliable performance for irregular antibody detection in large-scale blood screening.
- Findings support the adoption of automated screening technologies to enhance transfusion safety and laboratory efficiency.
