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When can you use an antibody to find another antibody?
The Antiglobulin TestBasic Principle, Procedures, and Applications
The Acquired Immune Response
From our Immunology Review we know: The body makes antibodies in response to foreign
antigen. These antibodies coat the foreign object leading to:
Clearance of the foreign antigen by the RES Lysis of the foreign object via complement activation
IgG is the predominant antibody produced in most responses
Incomplete antibody Usually not detected at room temperature/immediate spin phase
of testing
The Antiglobulin Test
The purpose of the antiglobulin test is to detect cells that have become coated with antibodies &/or complement.
The test is also known as the Coombs test.
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Anti-Human Globulin
The main reagent used in the antiglobulin test is anti-human globulin (AHG). Also called Coombs serum.
Anti-human globulin (AHG) is an IgG antibody directed against human immunoglobulins or complement components.
AHG Production
AHG Production
The globulins that AHG may be directed against include: IgG IgM IgA C3
AHG Contents
Polyspecific AHG reagent contains antibodies to both IgG and C3.
Monospecific AHG contains antibodies to either IgG or C3.
AHG Action
AHG combines with the Fc portion of a sensitizing antibody.
This completes the antigen-antibody bridge, allowing agglutination to occur.
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When used to detect clinically significant antibodies, AHG reagent MUST contain
anti-IgG.
ANYTIME YOU ARE USING AHG REAGENT, AND GET A
NEGATIVE TEST RESULT (by tube)---
YOU MUST ADD
COOMBS CONTROL CELLS
AND GET POSITIVE RESULTS!!!
Control
Coombs Control Cells
Rh positive cells coated with anti-D antibodies or cells coated with the C3 portion of complement.
Coombs Control Cells will react with the antibody in the AHG reagent.
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Coombs Control Cells will prove that…
Coombs reagent was added. Coombs reagent was active. The wash step was adequate to
remove any unbound globulins. The most common error made
when performing the antiglobulin test is inadequate washing.
Procedures
Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAT) Detects antibody (or complement)
sensitizing red cells In vivo sensitization Uses patient’s cells
Procedures
Indirect Antiglobulin Test (IAT) Antibody is free Uses incubation at 37oC to force red cell
sensitization in vitro. May be used to detect antigens or antibodies.
Both DAT and IAT utilize Anti-Human Globulin reagent (AHG).
The Direct Antiglobulin Test
Procedure
Steps to the DAT Procedure (tube method)
1. One drop of patient’s red cells are washed with 0.9% NaCl a minimum of 3 times to remove plasma that may contain unbound antibodies.
2. AHG reagent is added.3. Tube is centrifuged.4. If IgG or C3 is coating the cells, agglutination will occur
(positive test). This will depend on the type of AHG reagent used i.e. if C3 is coating
the cell, and monospecific anti-IgG AHG reagent is used, there will be NO agglutination.
If neither is present there will be no agglutination (negative test).
5. Each negative test is validated (controlled) through the addition of Coombs Control Cells (also called check cells).
Pt ID
√
DAT Procedure (tube method)
Washed cell button
The Direct Antiglobulin Test
Applications
What causes a cell to become coated with antibodies in vivo?
Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn Drugs Disease
Indirect Antiglobulin Test
Procedure
Steps to the IAT Procedure(tube method)
1. One or two drops of serum (may contain an antibody) are added to a test tube.
2. One drop of red cells (antigen source) is added to the tube.
3. The tube is incubated at 37oC. The length of incubation is dependant on the medium.
4. Following incubation, the cells are washed with saline a minimum of 3 times, to remove any unbound antibody.
5. Following the final wash, two drops of AHG reagent are added to the dry cell button. The tube is centrifuged and results are read. The tube may be read microscopically, depending on the test medium.
6. Coombs control cells are added to each negative test. The tubes are centrifuged and results read.
Indirect Antiglobulin Test Tube Method
37C inc√
Indirect Antiglobulin Test
Antibodies sensitize the red cells during incubation at 37oC.
Following the wash step, AHG reagent is added.
AHG reagent completes the “bridge” between red cells, allowing for visible agglutination.
Indirect Antiglobulin Test
Applications
Indirect Antiglobulin Test
Looking for in vitro cell sensitization. Uses incubation at 37oC to allow antibody to
sensitize red cell. Uses AHG reagent to complete the “bridging”
between red cells. Visible agglutination as a positive endpoint.
Enhancement reagents may be added during incubation phase to increase sensitization and agglutination.
Applications Using Patient’s Serum
Antibody screen Detects antibodies in patient’s serum Uses reagent red cells as a source of known
antigen
Antibody panel Identifies antibodies Uses reagent red cells as a source of known
antigen
Applications Using Patient’s Serum
Antiglobulin crossmatch Determines patient’s compatibility with donor Uses donor red cells (antigens) and patient’s
serum (antibodies) Usually performed only when a patient has an
antibody or a history of antibodies
Applications Using Patient’s Cells
Antigen Typing Weak D test
Both use commercial anti-serum which contains antibodies, versus the patient’s cells (antigen).
Auto control – Patient’s plasma vs. patient’s cells
NOTE:
If the patient has a positive DAT, the results of any IAT using the patient’s cells will be invalid. Cells are already coated
with antibody before the incubation step!
Factors affecting the IAT
Serum/Cell ratio Incubation temperature pH Length of incubation Test environment (enhancement
media)
POTENTIATORS
Some incomplete antibodies will not react in a saline environment.
Potentiators are reagents that adjust the test environment. Reduce the zeta potential Promote agglutination Enhance antibody uptake
22% Albumin Polyethylene glycol
(PEG) : a low ionic strength medium. Removes water from the test system, thereby concentrating any antibody present.
LISS Enzymes
Sources of Error in the Antiglobulin Test
Adequate wash Centrifugation Problems with reagents/saline Problems reading reactions
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