Large scale detection of IgA deficient blood donors

An automated technique using passive haemagglutination inhibition was developed on Groupamatic equipment for the screening of IgA deficient blood donors. Positive controls were also assayed by a manual haemagglutination inhibition test and solid-phase radioimmunoassay. Fourty-two blood donors totally deficient in IgA were detected in the systematic screening of 108,000 blood samples. Thirty-three were partially deficient and 2 other blood donors had an associated anti-IgA class-specific antibody. These donors now belong to a national panel of IgA deficient blood donors and their blood is used for the preparation of various IgA deficient blood components.