Detection of Rh antibodies using two low ionic diluents: Extension of the incubation time and the number of Rh antibodies detected

Background: Low ionic strength solution (LISS) is used to increase the rate of association of antibody to the corresponding antigen during antibody detection tests. A number of LISSs are available on the market.
Aims: The efficiency of two commercial low ionic diluents, DiaMed ID-CellStab and Inverclyde LISS were assessed using the DiaMed-ID LISS Coombs microtube column system and an incubation time varying from 15 to 35 min.
Materials and Methods: One-hundred samples containing five Rh antibodies (anti-D, anti-C, anti-E, anti-c and anti-e) were tested against commercial red cells using the two low ionic diluents after 15, 25 and 35 min.
Results: The Inverclyde LISS detected 91, 95 and 96% of the Rh antibodies compared to 78, 79 and 83% for ID-CellStab after 15, 25 and 35 min incubation time, respectively, for both methods.
Conclusions: The Inverclyde LISS is a more suitable and efficient diluent than ID-CellStab for the detection of Rh antibodies. The sensitivity of Rh antibody detection increased for the both methods as the incubation time increased.

Keywords
Antibody affinity, haemagglutination, Rh antibody detection, Rh-Hr, immunoglobulin G