Evaluation of the ID‐gel test for antibody screening and identification

Abstract

A gel technique for the detection of red blood cell (rbc) antigen-antibody reactions was evaluated for use in antenatal antibody screening and identification procedures. The evaluation was undertaken on 3,900 random antenatal samples. Results obtained in the gel test system were compared with those obtained from parallel testing using conventional serological methods. The ID gel system detected 148 (3.7%) red cell antibodies, compared with 95 (2.4%) using traditional techniques. The number of non-specific antibodies and false-positive screens were reduced using the gel test system. Antibody titres performed using the gel system were more sensitive than with our tube IAT method. The gel system was easy to use and gave reliable, reproducible results. Antibody detection rates were enhanced compared with our existing routine techniques.

Comparative Study of Blood Cross Matching Using Conventional Tube and Gel Method

“…Our findings are in agreement with other studies [6,9,10]. Bromilow et al [10], proposed that in gel IAT there is an increased serum to cell ratio and there is no need of wash phase, thus reducing possibility of elution of weakly bound antibodies from red blood cells thereby decreasing chances of false positive or false negative results. Rumsey [7], concluded that gel test is at least as sensitive as an LISS IAT tube test, with a better balance of sensitivity and specificity which is in agreement with our study.…”

“…Bromilow [10], states that ID gel system is a simple, sensitive, rapid and innovative method for detection of antigen antibody hemagglutination reaction. Leitch et al [2], stated that the results are stable, thus permitting reading and verification later on.…”

Incidence of β-Lactam–Induced Delayed Hypersensitivity and Neutropenia During Treatment of Infective Endocarditis

“…Agglutination of the test erythrocytes was also visualized using a gel test first described by Lapierre et al 22 and Bromilow et al 23 and commercially developed into DiaMed MTC-ID by DiaMed AG, Cressie sur Morate, Switzerland, for simplified blood type testing. Briefly, a red blood cell suspension-in this case the BPO-coated human Onegative cells-was mixed with serum at the top of a gel column containing antihuman globulin and incubated for 1 hour at 37°C.…”

Micro–Column Affinity Test and Gel Test: Comparative Study of Two Techniques for Red Cell Antibody Screening

“…The system is used for basic RBC serology, such as blood grouping and antibody screening [5], as well as for special applications such as IgG subclassing [6]or antibody elution. In several studies comparing sensitivity and specificity in detecting irregular RBC antibodies, the gel test has proved to be more sensitive than the standard tube test [1, 2, 7, 8]or column techniques using microbeads instead of a Sephadex gel matrix [3]. Nevertheless, a recent study [9]and two current case reports [10, 11]showed that the gel test failed to detect some antibodies of clinical significance, such as anti–Jk a , anti–Fy b or anti–Vel.…”

“…In several comparative studies under routine conditions the gel test proved to be more sensitive and specific than other test systems, such as the conventional tube test [1, 2]or another column agglutination test [3]. …”