Enhancement Media

Question 1

What is the function: 22% Albumin (Bovine)

Answer 1

Reduces zeta potential (decreases net negative charge) bringing the RBCs closer together and enhancing agglutination.

Although not widely used for routine testing, it is still an effective enhancement medium, especially with antibodies in the Rh system.

Question 2

What is the function: Low Ionic Strength Saline (LISS)

Answer 2

Increases antibody uptake which allows for a decreased incubation time in 37C
Also reduces ionic strength and zeta potential

LISS is the most common enhancement media. LISS reduces the ionic strength in the testing sample and causes reduction of the zeta potential. It increases antibody uptake and decreases incubation time. Gel technology, which is widely used, operates in a LISS environment.

Question 3

What is the function: Enzymes such as bromelin, ficin, papain, trypsin

Answer 3

Removes sialic acid to decreased negative surface charge, or removes some RBC antigens, and promotes cell agglutination

Enhances reactivity of: Kidd, Rh, Lewis, I, P1
Destroys: Duffy (Fya Fyb) and M, N, S

Question 4

What is the function: Polyethylene glycol (PEG)

Answer 4

Increases antibody uptake; REMOVES WATER which brings RBC closer together & increases antibody concentration which promotes antibody uptake

It is the most sensitive of the enhancement media; Particularly good at enhancing Kidd. strengthening almost all clinically significant antibodies. However, it will also enhance some clinically insignificant antibodies as well.

Question 5

What enhancement media is the most sensitive?

Answer 5

PEG
Sensitive that it can enhance almost all clinically sig antibodies, but non-clinically sig ones as well.
Removes water molecules.

Question 6

Which enhancement media is the most commonly used?

Answer 6

LISS

Reduces ionic strength and zeta potential

Question 7

What are the proteolytic enzymes that destroy and enhance specific antibodies?

Answer 7

P.B Ficin The Lumberjack

Papain
Bromelin
Ficin
Trypsin

Question 8

Which antigen(s) are present on cord cells?

Answer 8

i

Question 9

Which antigens(s) are absent on cord cells?

Answer 9

I, Lewis, Sda

Question 10

Which antibodies react at 4-22C (cold or RT) with no enhancement media (saline)?

Answer 10

IgM antibodies:
ABO, Anti-H, Anti-I, Anti-M, Anti-N, Anti-P1, Lewis antibodies
(Hi I May Not Pack Lunch)

Question 11

What antibodies react at 37C with LISS/albumin?

Answer 11

Rh antibodies (D, C, E, c, e)

Question 12

What antibodies react at 37C AHG?

Answer 12

IgG:
Kidd, Duffy, Kell
Rh
Some Anti-M

IgM (using polyspecific AHG)
Also complement binding antibodies (most commonly Anti-I, Anti-Lea, Anti-Leb)

Question 13

At 37C testing, we can directly see ___ antibodies, but to se ______ antibodies, we must test further through antiglobulin (AHG) testing.

Answer 13

At 37C, we can directly see Rh antibodies. But to see Kell, Duffy, Kidd, S and s, we must test further by adding AHG.