ANTIBODY SCREENING

Screening for antibodies is part of pre-transfusion testing. It is also conducted in pregnant women to identify possible incompatibility between the mother and the fetus. The test detects the presence of irregular anti-erythrocyte antibodies by using diagnostic red blood cells with known surface antigen profiles, incubating these erythrocytes with the patient’s plasma/serum at 37°C. The testing is performed in two environments – enzymatic and LISS (Low Ionic Strength Solution) – that facilitate antigen-antibody binding.