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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Enhanced Rabies Surveillance Using a Direct Rapid Immunohistochemical Test
Published on: April 30, 2019
Section 1A: Rh serology. Coordinator's report
1International Blood Group Reference Laboratory, Southmead Road, Bristol, BS10 5ND, UK.
Insights
This study evaluated 142 Rh-specific monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) across 27 labs. New patterns for Rh epitopes were identified, enhancing Rh variant cell classification and understanding.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Transfusion Medicine
- Serology
Background:
- Monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) are crucial for Rh blood group phenotyping.
- Standardization of Mab reactivity is essential for accurate Rh variant identification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reactivity patterns of 142 Rh-specific monoclonal antibodies (Mabs).
- To define new patterns of Rh epitopes and classify Rh variant cells.
Main Methods:
- Multi-laboratory evaluation of Mabs using specified serological techniques.
- Analysis of Mab reaction data against normal and variant Rh phenotype cells.
- Categorization of Mabs based on reaction patterns with variant cells.
Main Results:
- Anti-D Mabs were sorted into 23 reactivity groups, with five new patterns identified, bringing the total to 30 defined patterns.
- New Rh variants (DNB, DNU, DAR) and Category Va cells showed distinct serological profiles.
- Anti-E Mabs were grouped into 14 categories, and E variant cells into seven.
Conclusions:
- The study defined 30 distinct Rh epitope patterns, improving the classification of Rh variant cells.
- New nomenclature for epitopes was introduced, aiding in precise Rh phenotyping.
- Serological characterization with Mabs provides a robust method for distinguishing Rh variants.
Abstract:
One hundred forty-two Rh-specific monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) were evaluated by serology in 27 laboratories. Evaluators were asked to test each Mab at three dilutions in specified serological techniques against normal positive and normal negative phenotype cells, and any Rh variant cells that they had available. Raw data was submitted to the coordinator for overall analysis. Results were analysed by expressing the sum of reaction grades for each Mab with each variant cell as a percentage of the sum of reaction grades of that Mab with normal phenotype cells. Anti-D Mabs were sorted into 23 groups which had the same pattern of reactions with different partial D phenotype cells. Eighteen of these corresponded to previously defined patterns; five were new patterns. Combined with data from the previous workshop, this means that 30 different reaction patterns have been defined. A new nomenclature is introduced for numbering the epitopes. Reactions with new variants DNB, DNU and DAR indicated some further subsplits of these patterns. Reactions with Category Va cells indicated that there were five different types of Va cells that could be distinguished serologically with monoclonal antibodies. No patterns of reactivity corresponding to the epitope groups could be observed with the different types of weak D tested. Anti-E Mabs were sorted into 14 groups, and the E variant cells into seven groups.
