Antiglobulin Test Flashcards
What is AHG?
-Antihuman globulins bind to human globulins
-uses a xenoantibody (non-self)
-normally immunological response is an antigen-antibody component
-in this case, it is actually antibody-antibody binding or complement antibody binding
-the human antibody is the antigen
What is a globulin?
-a protein of some sort, in this case, either IgG immunoglobulin (antibody) or a specific complement component
How is AHG made: Conventional method
-injecting human serum or globulin into animals such as rabbits
-the rabbit’s immune response produces an antibody to the human globulin
-this produces polyclonal AHG
-pooled donor antigen is injected
-after harvesting the serum of many rabbits is also pooled
-broad reactivity including IgG variants
-limited source amount lifetime of the rabbit
How is AHG made: Hybridoma method
-purified human globulin injected into mouse
-this produces monoclonal AHG
-after immune response, antibody-secreting lymphocytes from the spleen are collected
-the lymphocytes are fused with myeloma cells
-hybridoma clones are grown in tissue culture
-infinite source, high titer, well-defined specificities, controlled potency
-single epitope is not as effective as binding always
How to make polyspecific AHG reagents
-This AHG would have the ability to react with both human antibody and human complement
-it is possible to add polyclonal anti-IgG from a group of rabbits and add it to the polyclonal complement from a different group of rabbits to create a polyspecific polyclonal blend
The immucor polyspecific
-used at SMH
-has three parts (Anti-IgG, Anti-C3d, Anti-C3b)
-each part is monoclonal
-together all three parts make a polyspecific monoclonal blend
polyclonal
antibodies derived from more than one parent cell or group of cells
Monoclonal
-antibody derived from a single ancestral antibody-producing parent cell
polyspecific
reagent that contains more than one AHG, usually IgG and C3d
Monospecific
-reagent specific to one type of globulin (ex: Anti-IgG only)
Why do we need AHG?
-AHG bridges the gap between sensitized cells resulting in visible agglutination
-prior to AHG test, only IgM antibodies could be detected
-IgM is a pentamer, because of its large structure they have more antigen binding sites and can directly agglutinate RBCs suspended in saline
-IgG antibodies are small with fewer binding sites that cannot reach each other to agglutinate, they need help
Affinity
strength of interactions between one epitope and an antibody
Avidity
measure of the overall strength of the antigen-antibody complex, all of the binding available creating good agglutination
*polyclonal reagents have better avidity and can create better agglutination
Sensitization
-A condition of being made sensitive to a substance (antigen) after initial exposure. Results in an immunological response and memory
In vitro
-outside of the living body, as in a lab setting
In vivo
-inside of the living body
What are the two major types of antihuman globulin tests that use AHG reagents?
-IAT
-DAT
Indirect Antiglobulin Test
-test is performed to demonstrate in vitro sensitization
-used to detect antigen-antibody reactions that occur in a tube
-a two-step process that requires a long incubation
Direct antiglobulin test
-testing is performed to demonstrate in vivo sensitization
-used to detect cell sensitization that occurred in the body
-cells are already sensitized, think of it as the antibody is already directly on the cells no incubation is needed
-old school name was the Direct Coombs test
sensitization
-is the coating of red blood cells from the interaction between antibodies and antigens
Agglutination
-is the visible lattice that occurs when many sensitized cells are clumping together
What are some clinical conditions that can result in the in vivo coating of red blood cells? (A positive DAT)
- Hemolytic disease of the newborn: maternal antibody coating fetal RBCs
- Hemolytic transfusion reaction: Recipient antibody coating transfused donor RBC
- Autoimmune and drug-induced hemolytic anemia: Autoantibody coating self RBCs
Steps in DAT
- cells coated in vivo
- washed to remove unbound globulin
- The addition of AHG promotes agglutination after centrifugation
Why should DAT be run in EDTA lavender top specimen?
-EDTA is an anticoagulant that chelates calcium which is needed for C1 activation
-this prevents the in vitro fixation of complement associated with clotted specimens (red top tubes)
-this would be seen as a false positive
*The manufacturer recommends a 5-minute delay before reading the complement portion of the DAT to enhance reactivity