Conclusion

Red cell antibodies must be properly identified in order to provide compatible blood for transfusion. Many identification techniques are available and policies can vary in different laboratories. It's important to follow your laboratory's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Table 5 summarizes antibody characteristics for the most commonly encountered antibodies, including the optimal techniques that were discussed in this course and which antibodies will often exhibit dosage.

Table 5. Characteristics of Common Antibodies.

Antibody Specificity	Ig Class	Optimal Technique	Exhibits Dosage?
Anti- D	Most IgG; Some IgM	37°C; IAT; Enzymes	No
Anti-C	IgG; IgM	37°C; IAT; Enzymes	Yes
Anti-c	Most IgG; Some IgM	37°C; IAT; Enzymes	Yes
Anti-E	IgG; IgM; Many Naturally Occurring	37°C; IAT; Enzymes	Yes
Anti-e	Most IgG; Some IgM	37°C; IAT; Enzymes	Yes
Anti-Cw	IgG; IgM; Often Naturally Occurring	RT; IAT; Enzymes	No
Anti-K	Most IgG; Few IgM	Usually IAT; Few RT	No
Anti-k	Most IgG; Few IgM	IAT	No
Anti-Kpa	IgG	IAT	No
Anti-Jsa	Most IgG; Some IgM	IAT	No
Anti-Fya	Most IgG; Rare IgM	IAT	Yes
Anti-Fyb	Most IgG; Rare IgM	IAT	Yes
Anti-Jka	IgG; IgM; Many IgG + IgM	IAT; Enzymes: PEG Agglutination often weak and fragile.	Yes
Anti-Jkb	IgG; IgM; Many IgG + IgM	IAT; Enzymes; PEG	Yes
Anti-Lea	Most IgM; Some IgG	RT; 37°C; IAT; Enzymes	No
Anti-Leb	Most IgM; Some IgG	RT; 37°C; IAT; Enzymes	No
Anti-P1	IgM; Rare IgG	RT or below	No
Anti-M	IgG; IgM	4°C and RT; rare IAT	Yes
Anti-N	IgG; IgM	4°C and RT; rare IAT	Yes
Anti-S	IgG; some IgM	RT and IAT	Yes
Anti-s	IgG; IgM	IAT	Yes

IAT = indirect antiglobulin test; RT = room temperature

Note: Two antigrams are included below that may be needed for the end-of-course exam.