Ann Lab Med.  2014 May;34(3):223-229. 10.3343/alm.2014.34.3.223.

Comparison of Total and IgG ABO Antibody Titers in Healthy Individuals by Using Tube and Column Agglutination Techniques

• Park ES
• Jo KI
• Shin JW
• Park R
• Choi TY
• Bang HI
• Chai GR
• Yun SG

• KMID: 1791924
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2014.34.3.223

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Most immune reactions related to transfusion and transplantation are caused by IgM ABO antibodies. However, IgG also plays an important role in these reactions. Therefore, a method to measure antibodies, including IgG, is necessary. We investigated ABO antibody titers of healthy individuals using a column agglutination technique (CAT) with or without dithiothreitol (DTT) and compared them with titers obtained using a conventional tube method.
METHODS
Among healthy adults who underwent a medical examination, 180 individuals (60 with blood group A, 60 with group B, and 60 with group O) were selected. Antibody titrations were performed using the immediate spin (IS) tube, anti-human globulin (AHG) tube, and CAT with or without DTT methods.
RESULTS
Higher median values of anti-B and anti-A titers in groups A and B individuals, respectively, were obtained using the IS method than using the AHG method. Higher values for group O individuals were obtained using the AHG method. Higher median titers of anti-B and anti-A in group O individuals were obtained using CAT without DTT than using the AHG method. Median titers of anti-B and anti-A in all blood groups were higher in CAT without DTT than in CAT with DTT, especially for group O individuals.
CONCLUSIONS
We recommend CAT with and without DTT for titration of anti-A and anti-B, especially in group O individuals, to provide more sensitive results that include IgG data. Adjustment of insurance coverage of fees associated with antibody titration might be necessary, considering the actual cost of reagents and personnel.

Keyword

ABO antibody; Titer; Dithiothreitol; IgG

MeSH Terms

ABO Blood-Group System/*immunology
Adult
*Agglutination Tests/instrumentation
Antibodies/*analysis/immunology
Female
Humans
Immunoglobulin G/immunology
Male
Middle Aged
ABO Blood-Group System
Antibodies
Immunoglobulin G

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Comparison of antibody titers obtained using the IS tube and AHG tube methods. The horizontal lines in the middle of each box, the top and bottom borders of each box, and whiskers above and the below the boxes represent median values, interquartile ranges, and error bars, respectively. (A) anti-B in blood group A. (B) anti-A in blood group B. (C) anti-B in blood group O. (D) anti-A in blood group O individuals.Abbreviations: IS, immediate spin; AHG, anti-human globulin.

• 

  Fig. 2 Comparison of antibody titers obtained using the AHG tube and CAT without DTT methods. The horizontal lines in the middle of each box, the top and bottom borders of each box, and whiskers above and the below the boxes represent median values, interquartile ranges, and error bars, respectively. (A) anti-B in group A. (B) anti-A in group B. (C) anti-B in group O. (D) anti-A in group O individuals.Abbreviations: AHG, anti-human globulin; CAT, column agglutination technique; DTT, dithiothreitol.

• 

  Fig. 3 Comparison of antibody titers obtained using CAT with and without DTT methods. The horizontal lines in the middle of each box, the top and bottom borders of each box, and whiskers above and the below the boxes represent median values, interquartile ranges, and error bars, respectively. (A) anti-B in group A. (B) anti-A in group B. (C) anti-B in group O. (D) anti-A in group O individuals.Abbreviations: CAT, column agglutination technique; DTT, dithiothreitol.

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