Lab Med Qual Assur.  2020 Jun;42(2):84-90. 10.15263/jlmqa.2020.42.2.84.

Preparation of Glutaraldehyde-Treated Red Blood Cells Expressing Weak ABO and RhD Antigens for Use in Tube Methods

• Lim YA

• KMID: 2503718
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15263/jlmqa.2020.42.2.84

Abstract

Background
Since there is a paucity of red blood cells (RBCs) with a weak expression of A, B, or D antigens, they cannot be used as routine Blood Bank quality control materials. This study aimed to prepare glutaraldehyde-treated RBCs to be weakened ABO and RhD antigen expressions for blood typing.
Methods
RBCs from A1B RhD positive blood group donors were treated with 0.5%, 0.375%, 0.3125%, 0.25%, and 0.125% concentrations of glutaraldehyde. The treated RBCs were then used for ABO and RhD blood typing using the tube technique. Differences in agglutination reaction strength and potassium concentrations were compared using treated RBCs stored days for 0, 1, 4, and 7 days at 2℃–8℃.
Results
With an increase in the glutaraldehyde concentrations, the strength of agglutination reaction against anti-A, anti-B, anti-D, and anti-A1 reagents reduced. Most tests showed 2+ strength with 0.25% glutaraldehyde treated RBCs. Hemolysis increased with increasing storage time; however, there were no significant differences in strengths until the 7th day of storage.
Conclusions
The preparation of 0.25% glutaraldehyde-treated RBCs is simple, and it can be used as a cheap ABO subtype or D variant quality control material. The use of these treated red cells may improve the accuracy of blood typing in Blood Banks.

Keyword

Erythrocytes; Quality control; Blood group; Glutaraldehyde