Comparative evaluation of gel column agglutination and erythrocyte magnetized technology for red blood cell alloantibody titration

Abstract

Antibody titration is traditionally performed using a conventional test tube (CTT) method, which is subjected to interlaboratory variations because of a lack of standardization and reproducibility. The aim of this study is to compare newer methods such as gel column technology (GCT) and erythrocyte magnetized technology (EMT) for antibody titration in terms of accuracy and precision. Patient serum samples that contained immunoglobulin G (IgG) red blood cell (RBC) alloantibodies of a single specificity for Rh or K antigens were identified during routine transfusion service testing and stored. Titration and scoring were performed separately by different laboratory personnel on CTT, GCT, and EMT. Testing was performed a total of three times on each sample. Results were analyzed for accuracy and precision. A total of 50 samples were tested. Only 20 percent of samples tested with GCT showed titers identical to CTT, whereas 48 percent of samples tested with EMT showed titers identical to CTT. Overall, the mean of the titer difference from CTT was higher using GCT (+0.31) compared with that using EMT (+0.13). Precision shown by CTT was 30 percent, EMT was 76 percent, and GCT was 92 percent on repeat testing. GCT showed higher titer values in comparison with CTT but was found to be the most precise. EMT titers were comparable to CTT, and its precision was intermediate. Further studies to validate this method are required.