GENERAL OBJECTIVE OF THE TRAINING

• Blood is the life of a person and to provide blood to the persons in

grave emergencies is the responsibility of blood bank personnel

• The present manual will discuss in detail the collection, preservation,

processing and supply of safe blood to the patients in need. Not only
will this module emphasize on provision of safe blood but also
judicious use of blood component instead of whole blood so that with
a single unit of blood two, three or even four persons may be
benefited.

• Subsequent discussions will also include method of storage

preservation and transportation of blood to distant places without
causing any harmful effects on blood.

• While collecting the blood from donors, the donors may face some
adverse effects which will be discussed along with the method to deal
with such adverse effects.

• The various type of blood group systems will be discussed with

special emphasis on ABO and Rh blood group system.

• Any untoward effects of blood transfusion and methods to deal with

such situations will also be covered in the following discussions.

• The ultimate aim of the subsequent discussions will be to provide safe

and appropriate blood or component to the people who need them the
most.
 INTRODUCTION

Historical aspect
Ever since ancient times it has been realized that blood is essential for life.
Many physicians tried experimenting with blood by transfusing dog to dog
and then animal to man and finally man to man transfusion. Richard Lower in
1665 started his experiment at Oxford, by dog to dog transfusion and
proceeded to animal to human in next 2 years. James Blundell began
experimenting with transfusion on animals followed by human to human
transfusion. By 1800 blood transfusion meant direct donor to patient
transfusion, which frequently resulted in disastrous result.

In 1900 Landsteiner elucidated the ABO blood group system.

In 1907 Richard Weil alerted by his intern Renben ottenberg, who in

1908 was the first to perform ABO typing of patient and donor before blood
transfusion and also was first to use compatibility testing before transfusion.
In 1914 and 1915 the use of sodium citrate as an anticoagulant was
proposed.

Rous and Tunner in 1916 were the first to introduce anticoagulant

preservative. Later in December 1943 Louis and Mollison introduced acid
citrate dextrose (ACD) as a preservative having the advantage of reduced
volume of solution.

In 1940 Landsteiner and Weiner discovered the Rh system of blood

grouping.
World war II led to many improvements in the blood transfusions.

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 TERMINOLOGY AND BASIC IMMUNOLOGY
Specific objective
To familiarise the staff with the basic terminology and immunology for better
understanding of the principle of blood banking.
Mode of teaching : Lecture method.
In order to make a selection of the compatible donor it is essential to
understand the immunological characteristics of the blood in so far as they
apply to this area.

Some aspects of basic immunology needs to revised here before

undertaking the study of blood groups.
Antigens - These are substances of high molecular weight, mostly protein
but also carbohydrates and lipids which when injected in the blood lead to
the production of antibodies. These react specifically with the corresponding
antigens.

Agglutinogen - Any antigen which is demonstrated by aggutination reaction

with the corresponding antibody.
Antibody - It is a gamma globulin (immunoglobulin Ig) produced in response
to the administration of an antigen and reacts specifically in vitro and vivo
with that antigen.
There are 5 classes of immunoglobulin viz IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE.
IgM antibody has a very large molecular size and cannot cross the placental
barrier from mother to foetus while IgG can cross it easily.

The antibodies are further classified as:

1. Iso-antibodies are naturally occuring antibodies. These antibodies
develop in the body even without antigenic stimulation. In a person of
blood group A, anti B, and in a person of blood group B anti A
develop naturally. These antibodies are of class IgM. These IgM
antibodies can cause agglutination in saline medium since these
cannot cross the placental barrier the fetus of different blood group
then its mother is protected from injury.

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2. Immune antibodies - These are the classical IgG class of antibodies
which develop in response to antigenic stimulation. These antibodies
may cause agglutination in saline medium and need protein medium
Anti Rh antibodies do not develop when such a person gets
transfusion of Rh positive blood. These can cross the placental
barrier.

Immunization - The process by which a person or an animal develop

antibodies against a foreign antigen introduced in the body deliberately or
accidentally.
Agglutinins Antibodies which on combining with the corresponding antigen
cause agglutination reaction (clumping of red cells).
Hemolysins - Certain antibodies do not cause agglutination but lead to
hemolysis. This is mediated through the action of complement. In the
absence of complement they can cause agglutination only.
Complement - It is naturally occurring protein in the blood and consists of
many components. These get activated by antigen antibody reaction and
bring about destruction of the antigen. Complement in thermo-labile and on
storage gets progressively deteriorated. In blood bank work hemolytic
antibodies cannot be detected in the absence of complement. In major cross
matching if patient's sample is old fresh sample should be obtained.
Adsorption - when red cells are mixed with antibodies to their group there is
rapid coating of the red cells by the antibody which is then followed by
agglutination. The phenomenon of coating by the antibody is called
absorption.
Elution : This is the process of removing the adsorbed antibodies from the
red cells surface. It is used to get the antibody in pure form and find out its
specificity.
Sensitization - some of the antibodies e.g. Rh antibodies, fail to cause
agglutiantion in saline medium but these would be absorbed on the red cells.
The phenomenon of absorption without agglutination is called sensitization.
These sensitized cells are recognized by the coomb's test.

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Gene The basic unit of heredity. It is made up of DNA.
Alleles - Alternative genes that may occupy a single locus on a chromosome
e.g. A,B,O.
Linked genes - When two or more genes determining two or more
characters are carried on the same chromosomes and are inherited together
are called linked genes.
Blood group system : A group of antigen produced by allelic genes at a
single locus on the chromosome. These may be linked genes.
Dominant, Recessive and Codominant genes. A gene which can express
itself even in hetrozygous state i.e. corresponding allelle is different is a
dominant gene. Recessive gene can express itself only in homozygous
state. When both allelic genes can express themselves in hetrozygous state
they are called codominant gene. Blood group genes are codominant genes
AB group is an example where both A&B allelic gene express themselves.

Genotype. The gene actually present on the chromosome at a given locus

whether dominant or recessive. eg. AO, AB, BB, OO, BO AA.
Phenotype - observable character or trait determined by the genotype e.g.
AO, AB are both A group phenotypes even though the genotypes are
different.
In vitro - Outside the body e.g. in a test tube, petridish etc in vivo Inside the
body.
Lectins - Extract of some seeds of certain plant possess antibody like
character which can cause agglutination of certain red cells antigen e.g. A,
and H.

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 BLOOD COLLECTION
Specific objective
1. To provide basic information of the types of donors.
2. To teach the staff the method of labelling and record keeping
3. Criteria for donor selection
4. To provide basic information for donor deferral

Mode of teaching
Lecture method, over head projector and practical demonstration.

Blood Donor
Blood donors are of various types
1. Voluntary donors- Donors who donate blood not for any particular
person, but on their own free will.
2. Relatives and friends as donors.
3. A person who is none of the above, is a first time or not a frequent
donor, who agrees to give blood under some pressure or promise of
some reward (e.g. an employee who wants to please his employer
donates blood for the employer or his relative.

4. Professional donors- These are people who have made it a

profession to sell their blood, moving from one blood bank to another,
donate as frequently as possible. Such donors should be strongly
discouraged as they are very high source of infection. They also have
a poor quality of blood, with less heamoglobin due to frequent
donations.

Blood Banks anywhere uses as far as possible voluntary donors and

relative donors.

A voluntary donor should be accorded highest courtesies as they are

self motivated and can be greatest motivators.

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 A professional donor should never be accepted and bled. They are
usually identified by needle prick marks on their arms.

Special donor categories

1. Therapeutic bleeding- Donation made for therapeutic reasons. These
are mainly cases of polycythemia who undergo blood letting to reduce
the red cell mass. These are very few.
2. Autologous donors- In this category donation is made by the same
recipient (person) who serves as his own donor. In this case the blood
many be required at a later date. This is the safest possible
transfusion with no risk of transfusion transmitted infection and
alloimmunization.
3. Recipient specific designated donations. In some situations there is a
need for blood to be collected, processed and stored for a specific
recipient e.g. in kidney transplant patient, for newborn with neonatal
thrombocytopenia. Such transfusions are called donor specific
transfusion and are made when a patient has an antibody to a high
frequency antigens or a combination of antibodies that make it difficult
to find compatible blood from random donors.
4. Directed donors - Due to the fear of AIDS and other transfusion
transmitted disease sometimes a recipient wants to get blood from his
relative or friend who he feels has safe blood. In these circumstances
a request is made by the patient for blood from specific donor to be
transfused. The decision of providing such a blood is entirely
dependent in the individual blood bank and their rules and
regulations.

Donor area : To encourage blood donation and volunteer donors for their
continuous participation, the condition surrounding blood donation should be
as pleasant, safe and convenient as possible. It should be well lighted,
ventilated, clean and attractive. It should create a feeling of welcome to the
donor. It should be open at convenient hours for donors.

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Registration and identification of donor
1. Date of registration/ donation - registration number
2. Name
3. Father's / Husband's Name
4. Address
5. Telephone No.
6. Age & Sex. :
Blood donor should be between the age of 17 and 65 years. Donor who are
legal minors may be accepted only if written consent to donate blood has
been obtained in accordance with the applicable state law. Persons over 66
years of age may be accepted as donors at the direction of blood bank
physician.

Autologous donation : Has no age limit, but evaluate if it is safe to collect

blood.
7. A record of reason for previous deferral.
8. Blood group if known
9. Date of last donation
10. Previous donor rejection if any

Selection of donor
Proper selection of the donor is vital to the safety of both donor and the
patient. An apparently healthy donor on proper questioning and medical
examination may reveal information showing that a blood donation will
expose him to risk or to the recipient.
Selection involves
1. Physical examination
2. Proper medical history

Physical examination
The result of physical examination should be recorded. Any exception
to the norms must be evaluated by the physicians and decision recorded in
writing and signed.

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1. Weight > 45 Kg for 350 ml of blood and > 55 Kg for 450 ml of blood
2. Temperature - should be between 36.5 and 37.5°C
3. Pulse : Should show no pathological irregularity and should be
between 60-100 per minute.
4. Blood pressure - systolic between 90-160 mm and diastolic between
50-100 mm of Hg.
5. Donor skin - site of ventipuncture must be free of any lesion or scar of
needle pricks indicative of addiction to narcotics or frequent blood
donation (as in case of professional donors)
6. General appearance - A prospective donor should be in good health.
7. Haemoglobin- It should be atleast 12gm/dl.

Medical history
The medical history should be carefully taken and the decision
documented on the requisition form.
Following are the important questions that should not be missed while
taking medical history.
Questions.
1. Blood donation: Have you ever donated blood? If yes date of last
donation.
Decision: The intervals between donations should be at least 8 weeks
2. Rejection as donor- Have your ever been rejected previously as a
donor? If so when and whey?
Decision Evaluate according to the cause of rejection.
3. Surgical procedure or major illness have you had surgery or any long
standing illness for atleast 6 months? When? What type?
Are you under care of a doctor for any reason? Why?
Decision: Donors who have had major surgery be deferred for at least
6 months, minor surgery is disqualifying only till healing is complete.
If it appears that the donor is not in good health, refer to blood bank
physician.

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4. Malaria- Have you had malaria? Have to taken any medicine to
prevent malaria?
Decision: Donors who have had malaria or taken antimalarial
treatment should be deferred for 3 years after stopping the treatment,
provided they have been asymptomatic for 3 years.
Donations to be used for preparation of plasma, plasma components
or fractions devoid for red blood cells are exempt. from these
restriction
5. Syphilis- Have you had genital sores? or generalized skin rashes?
Decision Best to reject such donors, but if accepted the blood should
not be issued before at least 3 days of storage in refrigerator. The
spirochetes do not survive refrigeration.
6. Blood transfusion- Have you ever received blood transfusion within
last 6 months? Decision- Defer till 6 months are over.
7. Vaccinations, Inoculations : have you been vaccinated in the last 2
months: why? which vaccine did you receive?
Decision: Donors who have been recently immunized with toxoid or
killed viral, bacterial or rickettiseal vaccines are accepted provided
they are symptom free and afebrile. Vaccination with measles,
mumps, yellow fever, oral polio, rabies, and animal products have to
be deferred for 2 weeks after the last dose. German measles donor
has to deferred for 4 weeks after the last injection.
Rabies vaccination given following bite by a rabid animal, the donor is
deferred for 1 year after the bite. Hepatitis B vaccination- donor is not
deferred unless it has been given for specific exposure, in such cases
the donor is deferred for at least 6 months after last exposure.
Hepatitis B immunoglobulin recipient, donor deferred for 12 months.
8. Dental surgery- Have you had tooth extraction or dental surgery in
last 72 hours;
Decision: deferred for 72 hours.
9. Do you have abnormal bleeding tendency? Decision- Defer
permanently subject to evaluation by blood bank physician.

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10. Have you ever had epilepsy, convulsions of fainting? Decision- Reject
the donor.
11. Do you have cancer?
Decision: All donors with lymphoma, Leukemia must be permanently
deferred. Minor skin or cervical cancers should be evaluated by the
blood bank physician and then decided.
12. Do you have unexplained weightloss > 4.5 kg? Decision. It may be a
cause of some serious illness hence may be deferred.
13. Pregnancy - Deferred during pregnancy and for 6 weeks following
pregnancy.
14. Are you on drugs like tetracyclic, Isoniazids, oral antidiabetic drugs?
Decision deferred all such persons.
15. Chronic illness like Hypertension, emphysema, heart disease, chronic
bronchitis? Decision- Refer to blood bank physician for decision.

Following donors should be deferred permanently

• With a history of viral hepatitis after age of 10 years.
• Who is or has been an intravenous drug abuser. Check both arms for
needle use.
• Patients with AIDS.
Deferred for 6 months
• Recipient of blood, blood component or derivatives eg factor II, VII, IX,
X and antihemophilic factor.
• Recipient of skin allograft or tatoo.
• Donor who has had close contact with a person with viral hepatitis or
AIDS.
• Recipient of blood transfusion.

Collection of blood
Donation Premises- To encourage blood donation and to remove the
fear of blood donation, it is important that the donor room is attractive, well
lighted well-ventilated, preferably air-conditioned so that donors feel
comfortable and relaxed.

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 Blood should be collected only by trained personnel, working under
the direction of a qualified, licensed physician. The personnel should be
friendly as well as professional and well trained. Blood collection must be by
aseptic methods, using a sterile closed septum and a single venipuncture.

Material and Equipment's

(a) Blood containers must be pyrogene free sterile and should contain
sufficient anticoagulant with a label to state the kind and amount of
anticoagulant used.
All the items used for phlebotomy (blood collection) should be in
sterile, single use, disposable form Plastic bags are preferred over bottles;
as they are a closed system of single, double triple, quadruple bags.
• The bag expand when blood is being collected so there is no need for
vacuum or airway.
• There is no danger of breakage and they occupy less space.
• No separate donor set is required as a long transparent tubing
attached to the bag with needle at one end is used as a donor set.
• In situations for rapid transfusion. It can be done by squeezing the
bag.
• Double or triple bags connected to it help in making a closed system
for preparing blood components.
• Bag bears a unique number on the bleeding set tubing also in the
short segments which can be sealed with blood in the tube, and these
tubes can be used as pilot tube without any accident of mis labelling
other instruments include.
• Syphgmomanometer (B.P. instrument weighing scale, thermometer,
blood weighing balance, clips, sealers, artery forceps, sterile
disposable syringe with needles.
• Sterile cotton swabs, and band aids.
• Sterile cotton swabs, and bank aids.
• Methylated spirit, tincture of iodine, chlorhexidine hydrochloride
(Savlon)

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• Emergency drugs like, intravenous fluids, injections (adrenalin,
dexamethasone, sodium phosphate, calcium gluconate, phenargan)
oxygen cylinder with mask and regulator.

Identification
This is a very important step. A numeric or alphanumeric system must
be used to identify and relate the donor record.
1. Identify the donor record by name of the donor.
2. Write the name of the patient for whom blood is given, registration
number.
3. Attach identically numbered label to donor record, blood collection
container (bags) and test tubes for donor blood samples.
4. Be sure that processing tubes are correctly numbered and they
accompany the container during collection of blood to avoid any mistake.
5. Recheck all the numbers.

Method of phelobotomy
1. Choose the site of venipuncture in the anticubital area of the arm,
check both the arms to choose the site. It is preferable to make
venipluncture in the left hand, as this hand is less frequently used.
2. Apply tourniquet or B.P. Cuff.
3. Clean 4-5 cm area starting at the site of venipuncture and moving
outwards in a concentric spirit or savlon.
4. Inflate the blood pressure cuff to 50-60 mm of Hg and check for the
prominence of vein.
5. Inspect the bag for leakage or the other defects check the label on the
bag.
6. Uncover the sterile needle and perform venipuncture immediately
using aseptic procedures.
7. Make the donor open and close hand. If possible then by asking him
to open and close hand.
8. Mix the blood and anticoagulant gently and periodically.

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9. See that the blood flows freely. On an average one unit of blood
collection takes 8-10 minutes.
10. Keep a constant watch on donor for nervousness or any sign for
reaction. Keep the donor busy in talking by talking to him in a polite
and pleasing manner.
11. After the required amount of blood has been collected clamp the
tubing of the bag with artery forceps . Deftate the cuff. Place the
sterile swab at the venipuncture site apply light pressure and withdraw
the needle. Put the needle in pilot tube.
12. Apply pressure over the swab at venipuncture site and ask the donor
to put the hand of other arm at the site.
13. Take the bag and pilot tubes to the processing table.
14. Loosen the artery forceps and apply light pressure on the bag to
transfer 5-6 ml blood in the pilot tubes.
15. Now tighten the knot and cut the tube distal to the knot and separate
the needle.
16. Keep the blood bag at 4-6°C in the refrigerator immediately after
collection.

Care of the donor after phlebotomy

1. Check the arm and apply band-aid/bandage after the bleeding stops.
2. Ask the donor to remain on the bleeding couch for a few minutes under
the observation of staff.
3. Allow the donor to sit up and go for refreshment, while sitting inquire as
to how he feels.
4. Instruct him to drink more fluids than usual in next 4 hours.
5. Ask him not to smoke for half an hour.
6. Thank the donor for an important contribution and encourage repeat
donation.

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 ADVERSE DONOR REACTIONS
Specific objective
To familiarise the blood bank staff with any untoward reaction that a
donor may face and to teach the staff to manage such emergencies.

Mode of teaching, Lecture method, overhead projector and practical

demonstration.
Most donors tolerate giving blood very well, but occasionally adverse
reactions may occur which are usually harmless. The blood bank staff must
learn to recognize and manage them. It would be desirable if the personnel
are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) the adverse donor
reactions may be as follows.
1. Syncope (fainting or vasovagal syndrome) It may be due to sight of
blood or due to donation. The symptoms include sweating, weakness,
dizziness or unconsciousness. The skin is usually cold, blood
pressure falls and the pulse becomes thready.
2. Hyperventilation or deep breathing it may cause the excited donor to
loose excess carbondioxide which may result in hyperventillation,
tetany, characterized by twitching and or muscular spasm.
3. Nausea and vomiting.
4. Hematoma
5. Convulsions.
Treatment
(1) General- Remove the tourniquet and withdraw the needle from the
arm. If possible remove the donor who experiences the adverse
reaction to an area where they can be attended to in privacy.
(2) Fainting
a) Place the donor on his / her back and raise the feet above the
level of the donor’s head.
b) Loosen any tight clothing.
c) Ensure adequate airway.
d) Administer inhalation of aromatic spirit of ammonia

14
 e) Check the blood pressure, pulse and respiration periodically
until the donor recovers.
f) Apply cold compresses to the forehead and the back of neck
(3) Nausea and vomiting
(a) Make the donor as comfortable as possible.
(b) Ask the donor to breathe slowly and deeply.
(c) Turn the donor’s head to a side to avoid aspiration of vomits.
(d) If the donor vomits, provide suitable receptacle & towel or
cleansing tissue.
(e) Apply cold compresses to donor’s head
(f) Give water to clean or rinse his mouth.
(4) Twitching or muscular spasms
If the donor experiences the twitching or tingling sensation the donor
is asked to breath into a paper-bag which brings prompt relief. Do not
give oxygen.
(5) True convulsions are rare. In case they occur :
(a) Prevent the donor from injuring himself.
(b) Place tongue blade between the teeth to prevent him from
biting the tongue
(c) Ensure adequate airway.
(6) Haematoma
(a) Remove tourniquet or deflate the blood pressure cuff and
withdraw the needle from the vein
(b) Place 3 or 4 sterile gauge pieces or cotton swabs over the
haematoma and apply digital pressure for 7-10 minutes with
the donor’s arm held above the heart level.
(c) Apply ice to the area for 5 minutes, if desired.
(7) Cardiac or respiratory difficulty
(a) Call for medical aid immediately
(b) If the donor is in cardiac arrest, begin cardiopulmonary
resuscitation immediately and continue till the help arrives.

15
 The nature and cause of all reaction should be recorded on the donor
record or on any special form maintained for this purpose.

Processing of donor blood

1. Recheck the number of blood bags processing tube, and donor record
before processing.
2. Also group must be determined on donor’s blood by testing the red
cells with anti-A, anti B and anti AB sera and testing the serum with
known A, B and O cells.
3. Test the donor’s blood for Rh group with anti D serum.
4. Test the blood for transmissibility which include
(a) Hepatitis B surface antigen
(b) HIV testing for AIDS
(c) Test for syphilis
(d) Hepatitis C virus testing
(e) Blood must also be tested for malarial parasite.

Once all these procedures are performed blood is now ready to be

released.

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 STORAGE AND PRESERVATION OF BLOOD
Specific objectives
To emphasize upon the importance of storage and preservation blood.

Mode of teaching, Lecture method, overhead projector and practical

demonstration of the blood bags and their constituents.

The main objectives of storage of blood are

1. To maintain the red cell viability and function of each constituent.
2. To prevent any physical changes which may be harmful to the
constituents.
3. To prevent coagulation
4. To prevent bacterial proliferation

The red cells are living cells and require energy for their metabolism.
During metabolism there is production of waste products in the body, so as
anticoagulant preservative solution apart from preventing coagulation should
also provide proper nutrients for continued metabolism of cells during
storage, for RBCs to maintain their integrity there should be a balance
between many biochemical materials like glucose, hydrogen ion (pH) and
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for this balance RBCs are best preserved at
1-6ºC, this will solw down the metabolism as well as also prevent bacterial
multiplication. DO NOT FREEZE THE BLOOD SOLID, AS IT WOULD
CAUSE HEMOLYSIS OF THE RED CELLS.

The various types of anticoagulant preservative solutions are :

1. ACID CITRATE DEXTROSE (ACD)
Trisodium citrate (dihydrate) 22gm
citric acid (monohydrate) 8gm
dextrose 24.6gm.
Distilled water made to 1 liter.
pH 5.0-5.1
15 ml of ACD solution is used for 100 ml of blood

17
 Blood which is stored in ACD solution at 2-6° C for 21 days has more
than 70% erythrocyte survival at 24 hour post transfusion, which is accepted
as clinically satisfactory.

Citrate : Acts as anticoagulant by chelating calcium.

Dextrose : After 7 days of storage only 50% of red cells survive at 24 hours
post transfusion. Addition of glucose to the anticoagulant solution increases
the post transfusion survival of red cells by decreasing the rate of hydrolysis
of ester phosphorus during storage and provides energy for synthesis of
phosphorus compounds particularly diphophoglycerates and adenosine
triphosphate.

Citric acid : It prevents carmalization of glucose in citrate in citrate dextrose

solution during autoclave. Citric acid is a weak acid and along with citrate it
gives an optimal pH which has a least deleterious effect on red cells. Acid
citrate dextrose solution has minimal effect on recipient acid base balance.

Temperature : The blood should be stored in the anticoagulant solution at a

controlled constant temperature of 2-6ºC.
• At lower temperature the rate of glycolysis in very solw.
• Low temperature minimizes the rate of proliferation of bacteria.
• At low temperature the rate of diffusion of electrolytes across the cell
membrane is less.

During storage the cellular components of blood gravitate in defined

layers on the basis of their weight, the heavier red cells sediment to the
lowest level, followed by reticulocytes on top of mature cells, leucocytes and
platelets as separate layers between the red cells and plasma.

On prolonged storage of blood at the lower limit of temperature for a

long period, layer of micro aggregates of aged platelets leucocytes, fibrin
strands, cold insoluble globulin and cellular debris in formed as the duration
of storage increases their number and size increases proportionately. These

18
micro aggregates may pass through filter of the transfusion set, but can be
remove by the micro aggregate filters.

Refrigerators used for storing blood should have a temperature

control system, an internal fan to ensure uniform temperature through out
the cabinet along with battery operated alarm outside the refrigerator to warn
for any abnormal temperature or power failure.

Citrate Phosphate dextrose solution (CPD)

In 1957, Gibson and his colleagues showed that by adding phosphate
to the acid citrate dextrose solution the rate of survival in post transfused
blood increases.

Citrate phosphate dextrose (CPD) solution

Trisodium citrate (dihydrate ) 26.30 gm
Citric acid (monohydrate) 3.27 gm
Sodium dihydrogen phosphate 2.28 gm
(monohydrate)
Dextrose 25.50 gm
Distilled water 1 litre
pH 5.6 to 5.8
14 mililitres of the solution is used for 100 ml of blood
• The blood can be stored for 21 days and has about 80% erythrocyte
survival at 24 hours post transfusion.
• Red cells 2.3 – diphosphoglycerate [2,3-DPG] is better maintained in
CPD than in ACD solution.

Use of Adenine in Blood preservation

In 1962 Simon showed that in modified CPD solution if adenine is
added then the 24 hour post transfusion survival of red cells is 80.5% ± 6.5%
after 35 days of storage. The ATP level is 56.4±15.9% of the initial level at
five weeks.

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With CPD adenine adequate levels of 2,3-DPG can be maintained for 12-14
days.

The level of 2,3-DPG recovers in vivo within 3-8 hours after transfusion.

Citrate Phosphate Dextrose Adenine solution (CPDA-1)

Tri Sodium citrate (dihydrate) 26.30 gm
Citric acid (monohydrate) 3.27 gm
Sodium dihydrogen phosphate 2.22 gm
(monohydrate)
Dextrose (monohydrate) 31.8 gm
Adenine 0.275 gm
Distilled water 1 litre
14 m of CPDA –1 is used for 100 ml of blood
Blood can be stored for 35 days

Citrate phosphate dextrose adenine (CPDA-2) solution

Tri-sodium citrate (dihydrate) 26.30 gm
Citric acid (monohydrate) 3.27 gm
Sodium dihydrogen phosphate (monohydrate) 2.22 gm
Dextrose (monohydrate) 44.6 gm
Adenine 0.55 gm
Distilled water 1 liter
In both CPDA-1 and CPDA– 2 solutions the percentage of erythrocyte
survival at 24 hours post transfusion is 100%.

Heparin
Heparin prevents coagulation by inactivating thrombin after
complexing with anti thrombin III and thrombin. It also inactivates factors Xa,
IXa, XIa, XIIa and plasmin.

Dose of heparin required for anticoagulation is 0.5-2.0 IU per ml i.e. ~

350 IU for 350 ml of blood, although plastic bags contain 2250 IU of heparin
for 500 ml of blood.
Heparinized blood should be used within 24 hr. of collection

20
 Circulating heparin can be neutralized by injecting protamine
sulphate.

Ethylene Diamino Tetra Acetic Acid [EDTA]

Sodium salts of EDTA are powerful chelating agents and bind Ca++
1.1 mM of EDTA is sufficient to prevent clotting of 500 ml of blood.

Although it is 10 times more patient than citrate, but it has no

advantage over citrate. Moreover it is toxic and damages the platelets ;
therefore it is used for preserving blood samples only.

Additive solutions for preservation of red cells

CPD-SAG and CPD-SAGM
Hogman 1975 and Hogman et al in 1978 used four bags system in
which one bag contained CPD another 100 ml of physiological saline with
adenine (0.125 mM) and glucose (4.45 mM) called SAG solution (saline
adenine glucose solution). This caused undesirable amount of hemolysis
which was prevented by adding mannitol by Beutler in 1979.

The CPD-SAGM solution has mean 24 hour post transfusion survival

of >80% and blood can be stored upto 42 days.

CPD-SAGM solution
It has four integrally connected plastic bag system.
One bag contains 63 ml CPD solution another bag contains SAGM
additive solution.
Saline adenine glucose mannitol solution (SAGM)
Sodium chloride 8.77 gm
Dextrose (monohydrate) 8.99 gm
Adenine 0.16 gm
Mannitol 5.25 gm
Distilled water to make 1 liter

21
 100 ml of this solution (pH 5.7) is added to packed red cells (200 ml)
from 450 ml of blood.

CPD – adsol system

It has higher concentrating of glucose, adenine & mannitol.
Red cell has shelf life of 42 days or 49 days.

Adenine dextrose solution (adsol)

Sodium chloride 9.0 gm
Dextrose (monohydrate) 22.0 gm
Adenine 0.27 gm
Mannitol 7.5 gm
Distilled water to make 1 liter

Blood is collected into the primary bag containing CPD solution. The
system of bags is centrifuged. Plasma is expressed into one of the empty
bags to prepare components. Now SAGM / adsol solution is transferred into
the primary bag containing red cells within 24 hours after blood collection.

The red cells can be preserved in SAGM / adsol solution for 42 days
even for 49 days in adsol.

The 24 hr. post transfusion survival in 73.3±6.6%.

Storage of red cells in frozen state

Effect of freezing
Freezing damages the red cells due to intracellular ice formation and
probably due to hypertonicity also.
If glycerol (a cryoprotective agent) is added to the cells, they can be
frozen and thawed without damage. Glycerol acts by limiting ice formation
and provides liquid phase in which salts are distributed.

As cooling proceeds excessive hypertonicity is also avoided.

Glycerol permeates red cells fairly rapidly during freezing hence is
most effective in protecting human red cells.

22
Method of freezing and preservation of red cells in frozen state
1. Glycerolized red cells which have 40% w/v of glycerol can be frozen a
at -80ºC over a period of 30 minutes using mechanical refrigeration.
These can be preserved at –40 to –50ºC for 3 years.
2. Glycerolized red cells having a final concentration of 20% w/v of
glycerol can be frozen at –190ºC using liquid nitrogen for 2-3 minutes
and can be preserved in gas phase of liquid nitrogen at –150ºC for 3
years.
Note the glycerolized blood has to be thawed and deglycerolzied
before use.

Indications for use for frozen red cells

1. Freezing rare blood groups
2. Storage of blood for patients with antibodies against high frequency
antigens.
3. Storage of blood for autotransfusion for patients with rare blood
groups.
4. Prevent of nonhemolytic febrile transfusion reactions in patients
sensitized to leucocytes, platelets or plasma proteins.
5. Prevention of sensitization against HLA system in potential recipients
of tissue transplants.

23
 TRANSPORTATION OF BLOOD
Specific Objective To provide basic information as to how to transport the
blood. To provide basic information of the changes in stored blood and the
effects of transfusing stored and altered blood.
Criteria for re-issuance of blood and precautions of receiving back the blood.

Mode of teaching: Over head projector and lecture method.

During transport, the temperature of blood must be kept below 100C. Sturdy
well-insulated containers with adequate cooling material are suitable for this
purpose. Broken pieces of wet commercial ice is best suited for it. Ice should
preferably be above the blood to take advantage of cool air moving
downwards. Blood containers and ice should be in plastic wraps. If the blood
is to be taken long distance or weather is unusually hot, the ice may be
packed in between and below the blood containers. The amount of ice
should roughly be equal to the amount of blood.

Changes in the stored blood

The changes given below refer to the blood collected in ACD
1. Rise of lactic acid and ammonia in the plasma.
Red cells use up dextrose and release lactic acid as a waste product.
It reduces the pH. Ammonia is also released and tends to raise the pH.
2. Rise of potassium and fall of sodium in plasma
ACD solution is slightly hypotonic and causes red cells to swell up
increasing their permeability. It causes shift of sodium into the red cells and
escape of potassium into the plasma leading to the rise of potassium and fall
of sodium in the plasma. Plasma may come to contain 10 mEq/L after 10
days; 20 mEq/L after 20 days and 30 mEq/L after 28 days of storage.
Donor blood even after 10 days of storage may be dangerous to new
born infants and cases of renal failure who already have a high potassium
level, by causing cardiac embarassment.
3. Rise of inorganic phosphates in the plasma (strong affinity to oxygen)
High energy phosphates break down to inorganic phosphates.

24
4. Rise of plasma hemoglobin
Some red cells may hemolyse leading to rise in the plasma
hemoglobin
5. Red blood cells
Blood stored for 14 days usually has 85% survival of the cells which
comes down to 75% at the end of 21 days.
6. Leucocytes
These lose their viability within 6 hours. Fresh blood transfusion for
raising the leucocyte count are not very successful.
7. Platelets :
Normal life span of platelets in vivo is 9 days. Platelets may be found
in the stored blood even after 1 to 2 weeks. However these are functionally
useless. Transfusions to thrombocytopenic patients for raising platelet count
blood must be as fresh as one week. PRP (Platelet rich plasma) or platelet
concentrates are a better choice. Ideally blood should have been collected in
the plastic bag.
8. Coagulation factors
At least 50% of factor VIII (antihemophilic globulin) is destroyed within
24 hours at 4°C in the refrigerator. Factor V survives even less. As against it
factors XI, X, IX, VII, II are more stable and sufficient amounts would be
available in plasma after 14 days of storage. Fibrinogen is present in fair
amount even after prolonged storage but in cases of hypofibrinogenemia
concentrated lyophilized fibrinogen gives better results.
Factor XII (contact factor) on coming in contact with the glass gets
activated. It also gets activated in the plastic bag but it takes as much as 48
hours. Activated form of this factor in turn activates factor IX. However other
factors of intrinsic pathway are not activated due to the absence of ionic
calcium. However on transfusion calcium becomes available and thrombin is
formed which gets widely disseminated. In case of a few units of blood
nothing happens as thrombin would be quickly neutralized by antithrombin
substances. In case of massive transfusions where as many as 10 units are

25
transfused in 24 hours the thrombin may damage platelete causing serious
thrombocytopenia.
All in all cases of coagulation factor deficiencies should be given as
fresh blood as possible.

Transfusion of stored blood

Upon transfusion the body removes the dead red cells and viable
cells are restored to their normal condition. High energy phosphates (2,3
DPG; ATP) are built up. Bodily systems restore the various biochemical
parameters.

Massive blood transfusion

There are occasions when a person receives large amounts of bank
blood in a relatively short time. There are certain hazards connected with it
which should be kept in mind.
1. Antigen antibody reactions
There is a greater possibility of development of immune antibodies.
Another danger is of reactions occurring between the plasma and the
red cell of the various donors. Normal cross match will not detected
this possibility and inter donor cross matches have to be put up. In
case hypothermia is contemplated these matches should also be
checked at 40C.
2. Biochemical disorganizations
a. Hyperkalemia
As discussed previously the danger of the rise in potassium
level becomes greater.
b. Citrate toxicity
With large amount of bank blood, greater amount of citrate also
enter the blood creating its own problems. Normally in the body
excess citrates are metabolised by liver and through Kreb's
cycle.

26
 1. Depression of calcium level of blood :
Cause increase muscular excitability e.g. tremors and
tetany. It can be easily corrected by injection of calcium
gluconate.
2. Cardiac irregularities
Excess citrate can cause cardiac irregularities which can
be fatal particularly in newborns in adults with liver
dysfunction. Hypocalcemia and hypercitremia can be
doubly dangerous to such persons and they should
receive either pack cells or heparinized blood.
3. Thrombocytopenia - It can lead to haemorrhges.

Transfusion induced hypothermia

Large volumes of stored blood at 4°C infused in a person can cause
hypothermia leading to cardiac irregularities and death. Normally practice of
warming the blood is to be strongly discouraged where only a few units are
to transfused. In cases of massive transfusions cautious warming or part
supply of fresh blood should be done.

Issue of blood from the bank to the wards

1. Blood is to be issued to responsible person of the ward and signature
taken in the issue register.
2. Before releasing the blood check the bottle lables and the cross
match tags to know that it is being issued to the proper patient. Check
that it bears tag indicating that it is free of hepatitis B antigen or other
diseases which are being tested in the laboratory.
3. Check that the supernatant plasma is clear and does not show
hemolysis, murkiness etc. Hemolysis should be checked at the
junction of the pack cells and plasma.
4. Check that it is still within dates of expiry.

27
Reissuance of blood
Blood is issued to the wards for transfusion. Sometimes for some reasons it
is not transfused and is sent back to the blood bank. Whether such blood
can be reissued has to be carefully decided, following guidelines should be
adopted.
1. Check that the blood for remained continuously as 10 to 80C in the
wards. Warming blood beyond this limit, even with subsequent
cooling, tends to accelerate the metabolism, produce hemolysis and
may permit bacterial growth.
2. Check that the container has not been penetrated. It is to ascertained
that sterility has been maintained.
3. In case the pilot tube was sent with the unit is should be received
back and should be clearly identifiable with the unit.
Records to show that the unit was received back and at the time of
reissuance has been inspected and found normal.

28
 BLOOD GROUP SYSTEM
Specific objectives

To provide basic information of various blood group systems.

To provide information of the types of blood systems in use.

Performing ABO and Rh grouping.

To provide information of the sources of errors in the grouping

Mode of teaching, Lecture method, overhead projector and practical

demonstration.

There are a wide variety of antigens in the red cells. As many as 300
have been identified on this basis various blood group system have been
found eg. ABO, Rh, MN, Kell, Kidd, Lutheran, Duffy, P&Lewis

Of these most frequently used blood group system for cross matching
are the ABO & Rh system.

ABO system of blood groups

This is the basic system of blood groups. Depending on the presence
or absence of antigens on the red cell membrane, they are divided into four
groups.
A,B, AB and O (O denotes absence of A or B antigens), in addition
corresponding to antigens A and B, there are naturally occurring antibodies
anti A and anti B in the plasma/serum of individuals whose red cells lack the
corresponding antigen.

The ABO antigens and corresponding antibodies

Antigen on RBC Antibody in plasma / Blood group
serum
A Anti –B A
B Anti – A B
AB None AB
None Anti A and Anti B O

29
 These blood groups are inherited. New born infants can be typed from
the cord blood, however care is needed as the reactions are not strong.

The reverse (serum) grouping cannot be done on newborns, as at

birth antibodies are not present. These start appearing at the age of 3-4
months and keep on increasing till adolescence.

H antigen
Apart from antigens A & B there is yet another antigen called H
antigen. This antigen is necessary for the development of antigens A and B.
accordingly it is present on all A,B, AB and O antigens. There are a minority
of persons who do not possess H antigen.
These persons may develop anti-H isoantibodies and cannot accept
O group blood.
The A,B and H antigenicity is determined by specific sugars linked to
the terminal portion of oligosaccharides (short chain sugars). These are
present on glycoproteins or glycolipids in the red cell, membrane and in the
plasma only glycolipids in soluble form are found. Cell membranes of
endothelial and epithelial cells have both glycolipids and glycoproteins.

Bombay Blood Group (Oh)

This is a rare variant of O group. Normal O group does not have A &
B antigen but has H antigen. Bombay group does not have H antigen also.
These persons develop anti H isoantibodies. Because of this antibody they
cannot accept blood from normal O group and can accept only blood from
another Bombay group. This type of blood was first found in Bombay hence
the name.

Secretor status
The blood group substances A,B and H exist in the red cell in alcohol
soluble form i.e. not water soluble 80% of persons also produce these in
water soluble form. The ability to secrete A,B and H substance is determined

30
by the presence of the secretor gene (Se), in either the homozygous SeSe
or hetrozygous Seee state, Which is inherited independently of the ABO and
Rh genes. Normally all secretors secrete H, in addition to A and or B
substance.

Secretion status
Blood group Substance secreted
O H
A A and H
B B and H
AB A, B & H
*Oh nil
* Bombay blood group

All individuals possessing the secretor gene (SeSe or Seee) secrete these
antigens in all body fluids except the cerebrospinal fluid.

Subgroups of ABO Groups

Antigen A has two components A1 and A2 A2 is a weakly reactive
antigen found in a few individuals. These sub groups have been divided the
A and AB groups into the following types A1, A1B, A2 and A2B depending
upto the reaction with the extract of lectin dolichos biflorus seeds or human
Anti A, serum.
22% of persons with A antigens in the A or AB groups are A2 or A2B.
Since anti A1 antibody cannot react with A2 antigen about 2% of A2 persons
show the presence of this isoantibody in their blood. These individuals have
to be transfused with only A2 blood.
A2 is a weak Antigen, unless great care is taken, may show so weak
agglutination so as to be missed with the result that an A2 person may be
reported as group O and A2 B as B with disastrous results.

Other Weak Subgroups of A

Subgroups of weaker than A2 occur infrequently. These are A3, Am,
Ax and A intermediate.

31
Antibodies of ABO system
In the ABO system once the antigen in absent from the cells, the
corresponding antibody is present in the serum. The antibodies in ABO are
usually naturally occurring and are mostly IgM. However IgG can also be
seen. IgG anti A and anti B are found more commonly in group O individuals
than in A or B individuals.
They bind the complement and are strongly reactive.
Anti A and Anti B are usually not produced in infant upto the age of 3-
6 months. However, they reach a maximum titer by 5-10 years and then
gradually become weaker as the individual ages. The antibodies formed in
the serum of infants at birth are almost of maternal origin. The serum
grouping of newborn is thus not recommended.

Rhesus blood group system

Landsteiner and Weiner (1940) injected red cells from Rhesus
monkey into rabbits. The resulting antibodies against the antigens of the
monkey cells also agglutinated human red cells in = 85% of population . This
antigen found to be common between man and Rhesus monkey was called
Rh antigen and later called D antigen. The antibody against this is called anti
D antibody. Using this antibody, the entire population can be divided into Rh
positive and negative. In the entire world, majority of people are Rh positive
although the relative proportion is different, 95% of Indian population is Rh
Positive.
The Rh blood group is the second most important group in practice of
blood transfusion. Anti Rh antibody is not a naturally occurring antibody
found in Rh negative individuals. It develops only after injection of Rh
positive blood in Rh negative individuals, hence it is an immune antibody.
This happens in 50-75% of individuals. Such persons if given a second,
transfusion of Rh positive blood may develop fatal incompatible reaction.
An Rh negative mother with Rh positive husband may have Rh
positive fetus. During delivery fetal red cells are likely to escape into
mother's circulation leading to her sensitization and development of anti Rh

32
antibodies . If the second pregnancy is also Rh positive fetus, immune anti
Rh antibodies from mother cross through placenta leading to a condition of
hemolytic disease of the newborn.
Rh antigen is a complex antigen and consists of 3 parts of antigens
called D, d, C,c, E,e. Genes for these are linked. On each chromosomes one
of the pair is present. Accordingly following combinations are possible on
one of the chromosomes.
1. CDE, CDe, cDE, cDe.
2. CdE, Cde, cdE, cde.
The so called Rh positivity depends on the presence of D-antigen. All
the persons in combinations given in 1 above are Rh positive. The antisera
against each of the above antigens except anti-d are available with the help
of which the exact genotype of the person can be found. Naturally occurring
antibodies are not formed against any of these antigens. Rarely incompatible
transfusion reactions can occur with them.

Variant of D antigen
Certain person have a weak form of D antigen. Red cells of these
persons do not show agglutination with slide or tube test with anti D serum
and can be mistakenly classified as Rh negative. However coomb's test is
performed after sensitizing these cells with anti D serum shows
agglutination. Accordingly final reporting of Rh negativety should not be
done without coomb's test. This weak antigen is called Du antigen. Incidence
of Du antigen is very low in Indian population.

Other blood group systems

Apart from ABO and Rh systems there are many more blood group
systems, some of which are as follows: Blood groups with natural and
immune antibodies Lewis (Le); P; MNS; Lutheran (Lu)
Blood groups with immune antibodies only.
Keil (k), Duffy (Fy); Kidd (JK)

33
 These blood groups are not routinely tested except in cases of difficult
cross matches and transfusion reactions, some of these may also lead to
hemolytic disease of newborn.

Miscellaneous antigens
Apart from the blood group antigens described above, there are
certain specific antigens on the surface of leucocytes, platelets and tissue-
cells. These are called human leucocyte antigens or HLA since their
matching is of paramount importance in tissue transplantation, they are also
called transplant antigens. In cases given multiple transfusion anti leucocyte
and/or antiplatelet antibodies can develop creating difficulty in transfusions.

34
 ABO GROUPING
Specific Objective : To perform ABO grouping.
• To find out source of error in ABO grouping.
Mode of teaching- lecture method to teach basic principle of ABO grouping
and practical demonstration.
1. Routine ABO grouping must include both cell and serum testing as
each test serves as a check on other.
2. ABO grouping must be done at room temperature or lower, test at
37°C weakens the reaction.
3. Follow the instructions given with the ABO antisera product insert
strictly . And store these at 4°C.
4. Tubes, slides and microplates should be labeled properly.
5. Serum should always be added before adding cells.
6. Tubes and slides should be clean and dry.
7. Optical aid should be used to examine reaction that appear negative
by the naked eye.
8. Results should be recorded immediately after observations.

ABO typing in done by three basic techniques

1. Slide test.
2. Tube sedimentation.
3. Spin tube.
The test in performed both on cells (Red blood) and serum.

Procedure
Specimen
1. Sterile plain tubes with clotted blood samples are best. The sample
can be stored at 4°C and should be tested within 48 hours.
2. Clotted blood is centrifuged at 1000-3000 rpm for 3 minutes.
3. 1-2 ml of serum is pipetted into a pre labeled tube for serum grouping.
4. Take about 1ml of cells into pre labeled tube and add 0.9% normal
saline and mix wash the cells thrice with normal saline and make 2-
5% cell suspensions in normal saline.

35
CELL GROUPING
Slide method
1. Take a slide and divide it in two halves by marking it in the middle by
a glass marking pencil. On one side mark A and pencil on one side
mark A and on the other mark B.
2. Place a drop each of anti A and anti B sera on side A and B
respectively, of the slide. Add 2 drops of 20% red cell suspension on
each side.
3. Mix the cells suspension and antiserum with a clear stick or tooth
pick. Spread it to form a 20 mm circle; tilt the slide back and forth to
complete the mixing.
4. Leave the test for 2 minutes at room temperature (20-24°C). Rock the
slide and look for agglutination. Protect the slides from drying
particularly in hot weather.
5. Record the result of agglutination.

Tube Method
Tube method is preferred over slide method because it is easy to
perform and advantageous because the centrifugation involved enhance the
reactions, allowing weaker antigens/ antibodies to be detected and because
the contents can be protected from drying and smaller amounts of reagents
are required.
1. Prepare a 5% cell suspension in normal saline. It is advisable to wash
the cells 2-3 times in normal saline, especially in case of cord blood or
specimens in the poor conditions.
2. Take 3 test tubes mark them A,B, and AB. Add 2 drops of anti A in
tube labeled A, two drops of anti B in tube labeled B and two drops of
anti AB in tube labeled AB.
3. Add 1 drop of test cell suspension in each tube.
4. Centrifuge at 1500 rpm for 1 minute (spin tube method) or incubate at
room temperature for 30-60 minutes.

36
5. Observe the supernatant fluid for presence of hemolysis against a
well lighted background.
6. Gently disperse the cell button and check for agglutination against a
well lighted background.
7. Where no agghitination is seen macroscopically, examine the
contents under an microscope.
8. Record the result immediately.

Serum grouping - Preparation of reagent cells

Collect blood in plain or EDTA vial from 3-5 donors of known A, B and
O Rh positive donors.
Collect cells and wash them 3-5 times with saline . After final wash
pool them according to their group. Prepare a 3-5% suspension in saline for
tube test and 20% suspension in saline for slide test. Check with known
antisera. Store in small aliquots. Store at 4°C. The cells are used for serum
grouping and as control for checking on the antisera being used O Rh
positive cells are also used for checking on the blood group antisera and
also for antibody screening. These cells should be prepared daily.

Slide Method (Serum grouping)

1. Use A, B and O reagent cells . A 20% suspension is used.
2. Take a slide and divide it into three portions A, B and O add one drop
of reference cells A, B and O in the respective areas.
3. Add 1 drops of test serum on the cell suspension and mix with a clean
stick or toothpick spread in a 2cm circle. Rock and rotate for complete
mixing.
4. Observe the agglutination and record.

Tube method (Serum grouping)

1. Take three test tubes and label them A, B and O.
2. Place 2 drops of test serum in each tested tube.
3. Add 1 drop of A cells in the tube labeled A, one drop of B cells in the
tube labeled B and one drop of O cells to the tube labeled O.

37
4. Mix the contents of each slide by gentle shaking and leave at room
temperature for 30-60 min. In urgent cases centrifuge at 1500 rpm
(spin tube method for one minute).
5. Observe the supernatant fluid for the presence of hemolysis against
well lighted background.
6. Gently disperse cell button and see for agghitination.
7. All negative results must be examined under microscope.
8. Record the results immediately.

Results (ABO Grouping)

Resulting (ABO Grouping)
Reaction of test red cells with Reaction of serum with pooled Interpretation
cells (Blood
Anti A Anti B Anti AB A B O group)
+ + + - - - AB
+ - + - +/H - A
- + + +/H - - A
- - - +/H +/H - B
- - - +/H +/H - O
- - - +/H +/H + Oh
+=Agglutination - = no agglutation, H= Hemolysis

Grouping of cord or infant blood

Special precautions should be taken while testing cord or newborn
infant blood since ABO antigens are not fully developed and alloagglutinins
are usually absent. Cord red blood cells should be washed 3-4 times with
saline to minimize error due to wharton's Jelly. Serum grouping is not
recommended in new-born.

Problem in ABO grouping

Discrepancy between the results of cell and serum grouping may be due to
one or more of the following.
1. An inaccurate centrifuge may lead of over/under centrifugation to give
false. Positive or false negative results. Dirty glassware may give a
false positive results.

38
2. Incorrect labeling of reagent or specimens, contamination or
inactivation of cells or reagents also give false positive or negative
results.
3. Incorrect cell to serum ratio, failure to add test serum may cause false
negative results.
4. Careless reading or recording of observation may give false positive
or negative results.
Failure to interpret hemolysis as positive reaction may give a false negative
results.

Problems with test red cells

Rouleaux formation- This is an aggregation of red cells in the forms of
piles of coins and it can be misinterpreted as agglutination. It occurs with the
cells suspended in their own serum in conditions with abnormally high
concentration of protein.

Weakening or loss of antigens

Due to age or diseases such as leukemas and other malignancies.
Acquired B-antigen like activity- Associated with gram negative septicemia,
intestinal obstruction and carcinoma of colon or rectum. It may cause false-
positive reaction.
Polygglutinable cells- Red cells may have genetic or acquired surface
abnormalities that render them polyagglutinable. Polyagglutinable red cells
are agglutinated by almost all normal adult human sera and gives false
positive reaction.
Antibody coated an red cells as in hemolytic disease of new born auto
immune hemolytic anemia, incompatible blood transfusions- may mask the
antigen on red cell surface and give a false negative results.

Presence of two separate cell populations as in a chimera eg a patient

recently transfused group nonspecific blood (massive or exchange
transfusions) bone marrow transplant, which leads to mixed reaction.

39
Problems with test serum
1. Rouleaux formation- May occur in paraproteinaemias and recipients
of plasma expanders. These give false negative reactions.
2. Unexpected antibodies in serum like anti A1, in A2 or A2B individuals,
anti I, Anti H, or anti P1, may cause problems.
3. Absence or loss of antibodies in serum may be seen in
immunodeficiency, leukemia, malignancies, newborns, old age,
marrow transplant recipients.
4. Hemolysis.
5. Auto agglutinuns.

Solving problems of discrepancies

Before additional investigations are carried out. Quality assurance of
reagents, correct techniques, careful observation and interpretation of results
resolve many problems.

Repeat Preliminary procedures

1. Obtain a fresh blood sample from donor unit or patient to rule out
discrepancy due to contamination or unidentified samples.
2. Wash the cells 3-4 times in normal saline to rule out rouleaux
formation and prepare 2-5% cell suspension.
3. Perform direct coomb's test in cells.
4. Retest the cell with fresh and potent anti A, anti B, anti AB, and anti
A1, or anti H as appropriate for individual problem.
5. Test the serum against appropriate A1, A2, B and group O cells.
6. Use group O cord cells if anti I is suspected.
7. Keep the tests at room temperature and at 4°C for 30-45 min. and
then interpret the results.

Rouleaux formation
1. Washing test cells 3-4 times with normal saline may rule out rouleaux
formation.

40
2. Routleaux formation can be dispersed rapidly by adding a drop of
saline to cell and serum mixture on slide while true agglutination
persists.
3. Add 1-2 drops of saline to the tube after gently resuspending the
centrifuged with, adding saline usually disperses rouleaux but not true
agglutination.
If abnormalities persists then special investigation to relevant weak
A1B antigen.
- Acquired B antigen
- Poly agglutination.
- Antibody coated red cells.
- Mixed- Field agglutination as in chimera.
- Auto Anti I
- Hemolysis.

41
 RH BLOOD GROUPING
Specific Objective
To perform Rh grouping.
To find out the problems in Rh grouping and solving the problems.
Mode of teaching Lecture Method and Practical Demonstration

The technique is similar to ABO typing but it has to be done in protein

medium and preferably at body temperature. it is usually done along with
ABO typing.

Reagent
1. Anti D typing serum
2. Coomb's serum
3. Normal saline

Procedure
Rh(D) typing should be performed according to the instructions given by the
manufacturers of the antisera.
There are three methods
1. Slide test
2. Tube sedimentation
3. Spin tube.

The blood sample should be collected with or without anticoagulant in a

sterile tube and stored at 4°C. It should be tested within 48 hours. No sign of
haemolysis should be there.

Slide method
This may be used to emergency RhD typing if centrifuge is not available.
The slide test is not recommended for routine tests because it is not reliable
especially for weakly reactive cells and it also has the disadvantage that
drying of the reaction mixture can cause aggregation if the cells that may be
misinterpreted as agglutination.

42
Method
1. Divide the glass slide in two halves by a glass marking pencil and
label on half as 'T' (test) and other 'C' (control) warm the slide on the
view box (surface temperature 40° to 46°C).
2. Place one drop of anti D on side 'T' and one drop of 22% Bovine
albumin on side 'C'.
3. With the help of pastuer pipette prepare 40-45% cell suspension in
patient's own serum. Place 2 drops each, of this suspension on both
the sides.
4. Mix the cell suspension and reagent, using a clean stick for each slide
and spread the mixture evenly on the slide over an area of 15mm
diameter.
5. Tilt the slide gently and continuously for 2 minutes. observe for
agglutination.

Interpretation
A positive test has agglutination with anti Rh (D) in the test and smooth
suspension of the cells in the control. A negative test has a smooth
suspension of cells in both the 'test' and 'control'. If there is agglutination in
the control, the test result must be considered invalid and the test with saline
reacting anti-D must be performed.
False positive result may seen in the following cases
1. Drying of reaction mixture may be confused with agglutination.
2. Small fibrin clot may give appearance of agglutination.
3. Incomplete anticoagulated blood may clot on the heated slide.

False negative result is interpreted in the following cases.

1. Saline suspended cells react poorly or not at all.
2. A weak suspension of cells may agglutinate poorly, 40-50% cells
suspension must be used. Whole blood from a severely anaemic
patient maybe concentrated by centrifugation or by removing plasma
or serum.

43
3. Weakly active cells which normally take two full minutes to agglutinate
are read before time.
4. Reagents may be identified incorrectly, resulting in the wrong reagent
being used in place of anti-Rh (D).

Test tube method

1. Place 1 drop of anti Rh (D) serum in a tube labelled test
2. Place 1 drop of control diluting reagent or 22% albumin in a tube
labelled control.
3. Add 1 drop of 2-5% cell suspension in plasma or serum in each tube.
4. Mix well and keep at 37°C for one hour (sedimentation method).
In case of emergency incubate the tube for 10 min at 37°C and then
centrifuge to at 1000 rpm for 1 minute (spin tube method)
5. Gently resuspend the cell button and observe for agglutination. All
negative results must be confirmed under microscope.

Interpretation
Positive test : Agglutination with anti Rh (D) in the 'test' and smooth
suspension of cells in control.
Negative test - smooth suspension of cells in both test and control.
If there is agglutination in the control the test result must be considered
invalid and the test is performed in saline reactive anti Du.

False positive results is seen in following case.

1. The anti Rh(D) used may contain antibodies to other specificities.
2. If cells and antisera remain together for too long before the test is
read, the high protein medium may produce rouleaux which
resembles agglutination.
3. Poly agglutinable red cells may cause false agglutination with any
reagent containing human serum.
4. Antisera and reagents may be contaminated with bacteria, foreign
substance or another antiserum.

44
False negative test is interpreted in following cases
1. Inadvertent failure to add the antiserum.
2. Failure to property identify reagents, resulting in wrong reagent being
used in place of anti RhD.
3. Too heavy cells suspension in the tube test may result in poor
agglutination.
4. Cell possessing weak expression of the D antigen, may not react well
in immediate spin tube method.

Anti Rh (D) sera for saline test tube technique

Saline agglutinating anti Rh sera is used when the control of high protein
anti-D gives a positive test even when washed red cells are used. Such cells
giving a positive direct antiglobulin test can usually be tested with saline
reacting anti-D serum.

45
 DU TEST
Specific Objective
To understand weak D antigen and method to detect this antigen.

Mode of Teaching - Lecture Method and Practical Demonstration

Cells of low grade Du possess the D antigen but expressed so weakly
that they are not directly agglutinated by most anti-D sera. Du can be
detected by antiglobulin test.
Method
1. Take one drop of anti Rh(D) serum in a clean labeled test tube
2. Take one drop of appropriate control reagent in labeled tube.
3. Add 2-5% of cell suspension to be tested to both the tubes.
4. Mix and incubate both the tubes at 37°C for 15-30 min
5. Centrifuge at 1000 rpm for 1 min.
6. Gently resuspend the cell button and examine for agglutination. If
there is strong agglutination of cells in test tube, then sample is Rh
(D) positive and there is no need to proceed with antiglobulin phase of
test.
7. If no agglutination or doubtful reaction is observed, wash the cell 3-4
times with saline and decant the last washing.
8. Add 1-2 drops of anti globulin reagent (Coomb's serum) mix gently
and centrifuge at 1000 rpm for 1 min.
9. Resuspend the cell button gently and examine for agglutination and
record the test result.
10. If the test is negative, the reaction may be confirmed by adding known
IgG sensitized cells, recentrifuge and reexamine for agglutination. The
presence of agglutination confirms the test result.

Interpretation
Agglutination in the test tube and no agglutination in the negative
control tube constitutes a positive test result and the blood is accordingly
labeled Du. If negative control test is positive no valid interpretation of Du
test is made.

46
 COMB'S TEST OR ANTIGLOBIN TEST
Specific Objective
To understand the principle of Coomb's test for detecting incomplete
antibody.
To understand the use of Coomb's test.

Mode of Teaching Lecture method and Practical Demonstration

The antiglobulin test was discovered by Coomb's et al in 1945 for
detecting non agglutinating (incomplete) blood group antibodies in serum.

Anti human globulin reagent (AHG)

Anti human globulin reagent is prepared by immunizing animals usually
rabbits, with whole human serum or with specific fractions of human globulin.
Whole human serum is used for preparation of broad spectrum sera which
contains antiglobulin antibodies (anti IgG) and anticomplement antibodies
(anti C3 and Anti C4).

Antiglobulin antibodies (Anti IgG)

Since vast majority of clinically significant alloantibodies are IgG so anti IgG
is essential component of AHG reagent.

Anti complement antibodies

The roles of anti complement antibodies in AHG reagent are
1. To detect complement binding clinically significant antibodies of Kidd,
Kell and Duffy system as they may not be picked up by anti IgG.
2. To enhance the reactions of complement binding antibodies.
3. To detect IgM antibodies which invariably bind to complement.

Thus an antiglobulin serum for use in the indirect antiglobulin test (IAT)
contains anti C3b as well as anti IgG antibodies, an antiglobulin serum for
direct antiglobulin test (DAT) contains anti C3d and anti C4d antibodies as
well as anti IgG.

47
Principle of antiglobulin test
In any agglutination reaction there are two stages
1. The antibody coats the surface of the red cell bearing the
corresponding antigen.
2. As the red cells hit against each other the second attaches to the
other cell causing agglutination.
Sometimes the antibody coats the red cells but fails to agglutinate.
Cells are sensitized but no visible reaction occurs. Problem is how to identify
that sensitization has occurred? Coombs test is designed to detect this
sensitization.
The incomplete antibodies (IgG) attach to the red cell membrane by
the Fab portion of immunoglobulin molecule (IgG). The IgG molecule
attached to red cells are unable to bridge the gap between sensitized red
cells which are separated from each other by negative charge on their
surface, thus the sensitized cells do not agglutinate. When AHG serum is
added two the wasted sensitized cells the Fab portion of AHG molecule.
(Anti-IgG) react with the Fc portion of two adjacent IgG molecule thereby
bridging the gap between sensitized red cells causing agglutination

RBC

RBC
IgG

IgG

Anti-human
globulin molecule

There are two types of coombs's test

1. Direct Coomb's test
2. Indirect Coomb's test

48
Reagents
1. Anti human globulin serum (Coomb's serum)
2. Coomb's control cells
3. Isotonic saline.

Direct Antiglobulin test (DAT/ DCT) or direct Coomb's test

It is done to find out if cells under the test are already coated with antibody. It
consists of simple washing the cells thoroughly in order to remove all traces
of serum proteins, adding coomb's serum and centrifuging. Agglutination is
then observed microscopically.
Procedure
1. Prepare a 4% suspension of test cells and known normal cells in
isotonic saline.
2. Take two test tubes and label then T and C. (test and control)
3. Transfer one drop of test cells to tube T and normal cells to tube C.
4. Wash both tubes 3 to 4 times with isotonic saline. Discard the saline
after the last wash.
5. Add 2 drops of anti human globulin serum to each tube.
6. Mix well and centrifuge for 1 minute at 1500 rpm.
7. Resuspend the cells by gentle agitation and examine microscopically
for agglutination.
8. If the result is negative i.e. no agglutination proceed as follows for
further confirmation and checking on the reagents before reporting the
results.
If agglutination is seen in the control tube the result are invalid.
(a) Incubate for 5 to 10 minutes, centerfuge and read again. In case of
slow reacting complement dependent antibodies, agglutination will
occur now.
(b) Add on drop of coomb's control cells. Mix, centrifuge and read again.
If serum is reactive and the technique is correct, the agglutination
should occur now.

49
If agglutination occurs in the test and none in the control coomb's test in
positive.

Indirect coomb's test

This test is done when the antibody is not coating the red cells but present
free in the (serum) blood.
Procedure
1. Prepare a 4% suspension of fresh known O Rh positive and patient's
cells in isotonic saline.
2. Take two test tube and mark them T (Test) and C (control)
3. Add two drops of patients serum in each tube.
4. Add one drop of O Rh positive cells suspension to tube T and one
drop of patient cell suspension to tube C.
5. Mix and incubate for 30 to 60 min at 37°C.
6. Wash cells 4 times with large volume of saline and completely decant
after the last wash.
7. Add 2 drops of anti human globulin serum mix well.
8. Centrifuge for 1 minute at 1500 rpm.
9. Re suspend the cells by gentle agitation and check macroscopically
for agglutination.
10. Add one drop of coomb's control cells to the tube marked control.
Recentrifuge and read again. It should be negative at the first reading
and positive at the second reading.

Error in Coomb's test

False positive
1. Chemical contamination of glassware with detergents.
2. Dirty or scratched glassware.
3. Bacterial contamination of samples.
4. High reticulocyte count of patient.
5. Plasma volume expanders to the patient.

50
False negative
1. Neutralization of coomb's serum by protein
(a) Insufficient washing
(b) Coomb's serum or its dropper coming in contact with serum
2. Lack of complement by the use old patient sample (Therefore always
use fresh serum)
3. Old red blood cells
4. Too long or too short incubation

Application of direct coomb's test

1. Diagnosis of hemolytic disease of new born (HDN)
2. Diagnosis of autoimmune hemolytic anemias (AIHA)
3. Investigation of drug induced red cell sensitization
4. Investigation of hemolytic transfusion reactions.

Applications of indirect coomb's test

1. This is used in the coomb's cross match to find if the patient possess
any antibody which could coat and hemolyse the donor cells.
2. Du test uses indirect coomb's test
3. For finding Rh antibody titre in expectant mothers.

51
 COMPATIBILITY TESTING OR CROSS MATCHING
Specific Objective
To provide basic information of cross matching Principle and Procedure.
To find out sources of error in cross matching procedure.
To investigate for possible incompatible cross match.

Mode of Teaching Lecture method and practical demonstration

Before a patient can be given a blood transfusion, a compatibility test with
the donor's blood has to be performed to prevent any hemolytic reaction
(incompatible reaction) in the patient. Such a reaction can be fatal. It follows
ABO grouping and Rh typing of patient and the donor.
There are two types of cross match
1. Major cross match
2. Minor cross match

Major cross match: It involves mixing of specified amounts of patient's

serum and donors cells in different conditions. Any agglutination in any
condition would indicate the presence of antibodies, natural or immune, in
the patient's serum, capable of causing hemolytic reaction. It is most
important cross match for a safe transfusion.

Minor cross match: It involves mixing of donor's serum and the patients
cells in the same way as for major cross match. Any incompatibility in minor
cross match may cause minor ill effects or reduced survival of donor's cells
but is unlikely to cause severe hemolytic reaction. Ideally both cross
matches should be performed the reason why incompatible minor cross
match does not cause ill effect is the same why O group is treated as a
universal donor. The serum of the donor is small in amount and get diluted in
the patient's blood during transfusion and the antibodies in it are unable to
damage the donor's cells.

52
Cross match procedure
It involves matches in three phases
1. Saline phase at room temperature for IgM antibodies e.g. ABO
antibodies.
2. Protein phase at 37°C for IgG antibodies e.g. Rh antibodies.
3. AHG phase for irregular and incomplete antibodies.
If there is no agglutination in any of the phase donors are recipient blood are
considered compatible.

Some important considerations in cross matching

Following points are applicable to any antigen antibody reaction including
cross matching.
1. All reagent have to be of good quality and all glasswares scrupulously
clean. Centrifuge should be properly calibrated.
2. The reactants have to be in equivalent proportions. In cross match
procedure the percent cell suspensions and the number of drops have
been strictly adhered to By the same pipette should deliver the same
size of drop.
3. The Ag Ab reaction takes some time, so this time should be strictly
adhered to.
4. Temperature- Different antibodies react at different temperature e.g.
IgM (ABO antibodies) act at room temperature (20 to 23°C) white IgG
(anti Rh antibodies) at 37°C. Certain antibodies is react at cold
temperature e.g. 4°C. If care is not taken in this regard agglutination
may be missed, leading to false negative results.
5. Medium - The reactants (antigen and antibody) react together only in
presence of some medium, which may be water, saline, buffer or
protein. For an antibody a specific medium is needed. ABO antibodies
(IgM antibodies) act in saline white Rh antibodies (IgG antibodies) act
in high protein medium.
6. Mixing - For a good reaction the antigen antibody should be well
mixed which is brought about by shaking and centrifuging.

53
 Centrifugation helps to push the red cells together so that
agglutination can occur easily. The centrifuged deposit is shaken to
resuspend the deposit and look for agglutination. Points to be
considered here are as follows.

Centrifugation has to optimum. It should be neither more or less, high speed

centrifugation for prolonged period can produce a false impression when re
suspended. Excessive shaking to re suspended the deposit can break small
agglutinates and give false negative results.
Sample
1. Serum and cells from the pilot tubes
2. Fresh clotted blood of patients from which serum and cells would be
prepared.
Procedure
1. Label 4 tubes as follows:
(a) Major saline (MaS)
(b) Major albumin (MaA)
(c) Minor saline (MiS)
(d) Minor albumin (MiA)
Mark the bag number and the patient's ID.
2. Prepare a 4% suspension of patient's and donor's cells in saline
3. Proceed as given below.

Major cross match Minor cross match

Tube No. Drops of Pt. Drops of 22% saline Drops of Drops of
serum Donor cells albumin donor serum patient cells
MaS Two One - - -
MaA Two One One - -
MiS - - - Two One
MiA - - One Two One

a. Incubate the tube marked MaS and MiS at room temperature and the
tube marked MaA and MiA at 37°C for 15-30 minutes.
b. Centrifuge all tubes at 1000 to 1500 rpm for 1 minute

54
c. Observe hemolysis/ agglutination in all tubes, first macroscopically
and then microscopically.
If there is no agglutination in any of the tubes, proceed as follow for the
coomb's cross match.
d. Wash the tube marked MaA three to four times with saline Decant the
saline after the last wash and add two drops of coomb's serum, mix
well and centrifuge at 1500 rpm for 1 minute.

Resuspend the cells after gentle agitation and observe microscopically for
agglutination.
If there is no agglutination matching is complete. Use control cells for
checking on the Coomb's serum.

Sources of error in cross matching

1. Clerical errors and technical faults
2. Errors in ABO grouping of patient or donor.
3. Errors in Rh typing of patient or donor
4. Presence of auto agglutinins and cold agglutinins in patient's or
donor's serum
5. Presence of abnormal proteins and rouleaux formation in serum

The errors of cross matching may show false compatibility leading to

transfusion of incompatible blood causing fatal hemolytic reaction.
Errors could also be of false incompatibility, so that an otherwise
compatible donor is rejected. This would lead to wastage of times as cross
matching would be done with other donor.
Of the reasons given above for errors in cross matching the clerical
error accounts for more than 80% of incompatible transfusion all over the
world.

Clerical errors
(a) Identifying wrong patient.
(b) Mislabeling, improper or incomplete labeling.

55
(c) Mixing of sample
(d) Entering wrong name and/ or number in the register, or on the cross
match tags.
(e) Mixing up donors - putting wrong label on the donor bottle
(f) Mixing of pilot tube while bleeding the donors or while cross matching
(g) Mixing up cells and serum of different patients when more than one
patient is being cross matched at one time.
(h) Putting wrong match tags on cross matched units of blood.
(i) Releasing wrong units of blood

Investigation of a possible incompatible cross match

Sometimes a patient shows an untoward reaction while being given
transfusion and it is suspected that it may be due to mismatching of blood.
Such case needs to be investigated properly to find out the reasons as
reaction. One should proceed as given below.
1. Recheck to eliminate clinical errors
(a) Mixed specimens
(b) Incorrectly labeled specimen
2. Recheck to eliminate technical errors
(a) Contaminated pilot tube
(b) Contaminated reagents
(c) Dirty glassware
3. Recheck the ABO and Rh grouping of patients and the donor
(a) Check ABO grouping from original specimen.
(b) Repeat serum grouping with fresh known cells
(c) If possible collect fresh specimen from the patient and regroup.
4. Recheck Rh group of the patient and donor
5. Recheck patient's own cell suspended in saline with his own serum at
4°C, room temperature, 37°C by high protein method
6. Check patient chart for previous transfusion, pregnancy, symptoms,
diagnosis etc.
7. Test for Rouleaux

56
 (a) Observe micrsocpic characteristics of agglutination
(b) Check with saline, rouleaux beaks up while true agglutination
will not.
8. Perform cross matching again upto Coomb's cross match. This
should be negative
9. Test for cold agglutination
10. Perform direct comb's test on red cells
11. Other investigations of the patient is A,B, and AB
(a) Subgroup patient and donor cells with anti A1 serum or anti A1,
lectin and anti AB serum.
(b) If possible test serum of the patient with A1, A2 or O
12. Other investigation if the cells patient is O
(a) Test patient and donor cells with anti H lectin
(b) Test patient and donor cells against fresh known O cells

57
 BLOOD TRANSFUSION REACTIONS
• Specific Objective - To provide basic information regarding the blood
transfusion reactions.
• To provide the basic information as to how to deal with such
reactions.

Mode of Teaching: Over head projector and lecture demonstration.

Blood transfusion is sometimes attended with adverse reaction, some of
which may be fatal. Below is given the various types of reactions
encountered.
1. Embolic reactions - These may be due to
a. Particles
b. Air
Particles, which most of the time are fragments of fibrin, can be
prevented by the use of transfusion set containing a filter.
Air embolism it can lead to fatality. It occurs:
a. If the giving set is not completely filled with blood before
venipuncture.
b. If transfusion is completed and the needle is not removed in
time.
c. If the blood is given under pressure.
2. Circulatory over load
This danger is in cases receiving blood for correction of anemia, that
is they have no fluid loss. Elderly, debilitated persons, or persons with heart
disease and infants may not be able to adjust to this sudden increase in
blood volume and could go into heart failure and die.
They usually show difficulty is breathing, cyanosis, cough with frothy
sputum. Death could occur in moments if prompt action is not taken.
Actions to be taken:
a. Stop transfusion immediately.
b. Apply tourniquet to all the four limbs so as not to stop the arterial flow
but to stop the venous return.

58
c. An amount equal to the amount transfused should be withdrawn.
Giving either pack cells or slow transfusion would prevent this type of
reaction.
3. Reaction due to lekoagglutinins
Patients receiving multiple transfusions tend to get immunised against the
leucocytes. Leucocyte antigens are different from red cells antigens. In
subsequent transfusions if the donor's blood contains the offending antigens,
patient suffers from chills and fever.
4. Pyrogenic reactions
Pyrogenic means any fever producing substance. Commonly such
substances like dried blood, serum proteins, killed microorganisms and
bacterial metabolic products are present in improperly cleaned and sterilized
blood bottles and transfusion sets. Use of disposable sets prevents this
problem.
5. Allergic reaction
Such reactions occur in patient's who may be allergic to some components
of the donor's blood. Occasionally a patient may be passively sensitized by
receiving blood characterized by urticaria, diffuse rash, oedema or even
asthmatic attack.
6. Bacteriogenic reaction
This type of reaction is the result of transfusion of contaminated blood.
Certain bacteria e.g pseudomonas and coliforms can even grow at
refrigerator temperature. These organisms produce endotoxins which is
injected in large enough dose can kill the patient.
Proper cleaning of the donor arm and use of sterile precautions can
prevent this danger. Further more blood in the bank should be inspected
regularly for any evidence of contamination (Discolouration, cloudiness and
appearance of fibrin clots). Blood bag or bottle should be critically inspected
before issue.
Bacteriogenic reaction present with chills, fever, pain and shock.
There is marked erythema at the site of puncture. Transfusion has to be

59
stopped immediately, antibiotics started and shock managed. Some of the
cases may end up with DIC.
7. Hemolytic transfusion reaction
This is caused by the transfusion of incompatible blood. Symptoms consist
of chills, fever, low back pain, nausea and vomiting. Patient may then
develop hypotension (fall in blood pressure) and go into shock.
Transfusion should be stopped immediately and shock treated. Even
if the patient recovers there is a danger of renal shut down after a few days.
Red cell antigens combine with the antibody and activate complement
leading to hemolysis of red cells. Liberated hemoglobin is passed in the
urine giving it a pink colour. The antigen antibody complexes also damage
the kidney and red cells are demonstrated in the urine.
This phenomenon of antigen antibody reaction with activation of
complement can also induce disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
Much the same types of phenomenas can occur with bacteriogenic
reaction, the mechanism being different. In bacteriogenic reactions
complement is activated directly.
It may be noted that the types of reactions mentioned in 3 to 7 above
give almost identical symptoms. While 3,4, and 5 are not serious, the types 6
and 7 are extremely dangerous. These need to be identified with certainly.
Accordingly any request for transfusion reaction must be dealt on stat basis.
Since most of the incompatible transfusion is due to clerical error,
technicians have to exercise extreme caution in identifying and patient and
be particular in labeling the sample and the matching tubes. There can be no
compromise on these counts.
8. Haemorrhagic reactions
These are caused due to severe drop in the platelet counts. This is likely to
occur when a patient has lost a lot of his blood and platelets are lost with it.
His blood is then replaced with bank blood which are poor in platelets.
Thrombocytopenia (loss of platelets) can also occur due to antibodies
in the patient's serum which would destroy the transfused platelets.

60
9. Citrate intoxication
This is likely to occur in cases where large amount of bank blood is
transfused in a short time.
Symptoms are due not only to increased amount of sodium citrate in
the blood but also due to the following
1. Increased Potassium content in the bank blood
2. Increased ammonia content in the bank blood
3. Low availability of ionic calcium in the bank blood
4. Decreased pH of the blood
10. Delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions
It is possible for a patient to develop hemolytic transfusion reaction a
few days after transfusion. Person shows jaundice, nausea, vomiting,
passage of dark urine and drop in hemoglobin.
It is explained on the basis that the person is already immunised to a
certain antigen by a previous transfusion. However the antibody titre is low.
The very same antigen is present in the present blood but does not show in
the cross match because of low titre. However with this transfusion the
antibody titre is stimulated to rise and leads to hemolytic reaction. If direct
Coomb's is done at this time, it would be found to be positive. After all the
donor cells are destroyed the test would become negative.
11. Drug incompatibility
No drug should be added to the blood bag or given through the same
transfusion set, because some of these may adversely react with the blood
and cause harm to the patient. If any drug is to be given it should be given
by separate route.
12. Two different group bloods
Sometimes a situation arises when a patient is being a compatible blood.
However he may need more blood but his group blood is exhausted and he
has to be given, say O group as a universal donor. In such situations the
same transfusion set should not be used in the tubing and filters would react
with it causing agglutination. A new set should be used.

61
 HEMOLYTIC DISEASE OF NEWBORN (HDN)
Specific objective
• To provide information regarding the hemolytic disease of newborn
• To provide information regarding prevention of HDN in compatibility
• To provide information as to manage the hemolytic disease of
newborn.
Mode of teaching : Overhead projector, lecture demonstration and practical
demonstration.
Hemolytic disease of newborn (HDN) is a syndrome associated with
hemolysis in the foetus either in utero and / or after delivery with consequent
hyperbilirubinaemia. While it is commonly due to immune destruction of red
cells of the foetus as a result of maternal IgG antibodies which transmit
through placenta.
It is believed that during pregnancy, foetal cells at some stage find
entrance into the maternal circulation. It may occur intermittently, but it
occurs especially during delivery when placenta separates. If foetal cells
carry an antigen, inherited from father and not present in mother, she would
get immunised (i.e. produce antibodies against such an antigen) and these
would be class IgG. These are not naturally occurring but have developed in
response to antigenic stimulation.
Similarly mother's serum proteins gain access to foetus through
placenta. If these proteins contain antibodies against foetal cells the latter
can be damaged.
IgG antibodies having a smaller molecule can cross the placental
barrier. Naturally occurring IgM Ntibodies against ABO antigens cannot
cross the placental barrier.
Blood group incompatibility between mother and foetus can be on
account of any of the group e.g.
1. ABO incompatibility - most common form of incompatibility between
mother and foetus. ABO-HDN results from IgG anti A and anti B and
most commonly occurs in A or B group babies born to O group
mothers. The disease is usually mild and requires no treatment.

62
2. Rh (D) incompatibility - Rh(D) incompatibility occurs between mother
(Rh D negative) and foetus (Rh D positive), resulting in formation of
IgG anti D in mother and is responsible for Rh (D) HDN. This is
moderate to severe and needs treatment. In frequency it is next to
ABO-HDN. Jaundice is usually seen within 24 hours after delivery.
3. Other incompatibilities e.g. Kell, Duffy, Kidd etc.

HDN due to ABO incompatibility is very mild as the ABO antibodies are
mainly IgG class which cannot cross placenta. It is only when IgG class
antibodies form that ABO HDN develops.

RH (D) HEMOLYTIC DISEASE OF NEWBORN

Factors influencing the producing of Rh antibodies are
1. Size of fetomaternal hemorrhage leak.
The amount of foetal red cells that cross the placental into maternal
circulation in third trimester of pregnancy is usually small and
insufficient to cause antibody production; therefore the first Rh
incompatible foetus in unaffected. At delivery, a transplacental
haemorrhage is not uncommon. The amount of this may be 1ml to 10
ml. Rh (D) positive foetal red cells stimulate the production of anti Rh
(D). The antibody appears in the mother's blood within 6 months of
delivery and mother become sensitized but do not have demonstrable
levels of antibodies until they have a secondary stimulus during a
subsequent pregnancy with 2nd Rh (D) positive foetal cells. The foetal
red cells crossing the placental from about 24th weeks of gestation
either stimulate the sensitized mother to produce antibody or
stimulate the existing antibody to higher titer.
This is a secondary response and only a small amount of red cells are
capable of producing antibody sufficient to cause HDN. The anti Rh(D)
formed is IgG and can cross placental barrier and combines with foetal
Rh(D) positive red cells leading to their destruction.
2. Parity - About 70% cases are seen in II nd and III rd pregnancy

63
3. ABO incompatibility between mother and foetus - If there is difference
between ABO group of mother and foetus, any foetal cells gaining
entrance into mother will be destroyed before they can immunise the
mother against Rh antigen
4. Rh (D) negative who has been imunized by Rh (D) positive blood
transfusion has a risk of delivering a baby with Rh HDN even in the
first pregnancy.
5. Medical termination of pregnancy with Rh positive foetus may also
immunize the Rh negative mother

Prevention of HDN in Rh incompatibility

In case of delivery of Rh positive child or abortion in a Rh negative
mother, Rh immunoglobulin is injected in the mother within 24 to 48 hours.
This is really anti D serum. Any cells of the foetus which may have entered
the mother during delivery are coated by this antibody and rendered
incapable of immunising the mother.

Schedule for antenatal study on cases of suspected HDN

Antenatal study for ABO incompatibility is of little value hence it is only
directed for Rh incomapbility.
1. Mother's history is carefully taken.
2. Mother's and her husband's ABO Rh type is carefully determined.
3. If indicated from grouping and typing indirect coomb's test is done on
the mother's serum. This should be done once in the third trimester
and then at the 28th week and 36th week.
4. If at any time indirect coomb's test is found to be positive, antibody
titer is done and further repeatd monthly upon 28th week and
thereafter every fort night.

Investigations on suspected Hemolytic disease of newborns child.

Normally cord blood is supplied such blood may get contaminated
with Wharton's Jelly. Red cells must be thoroughly washed as presence of
Wharton's jelly may give false positively of direct Comb's test.

64
1. Perform ABO grouping - only cell grouping should be done, as at this
stage naturally occurring (iso-antibodies) are absent.
2. Perform Rh typing If the results indicate Rh negative, it cannot be
relied upon as Rh positive cells coated with maternal antibody may
fail to agglutinate with anti D typing sera. This problem would be
resolved with Direct Coomb's test.
3. Direct Coomb's test - cells must be very thoroughly washed due to
possible contamination with Wharton's Jelly.
If direct Coomb's test is positive it would establish that the
infant's cells are coated with maternal antibody. It would also
establish that a supposed Rh negative infant is really Rh positive.
4. Du test - If Rh typing shows negative and Coomb's test is negative
perform Du test.
5. Bilirubin - Value grater than 3.0 gm/dl is high for cord blood
6. Hemoglobin - Normal cord blood hemoglobin is 14-20 gm/dl. Baby's
heel prick blood may be upto 4 gm/dl higher than cord blood. Hence
as a general rule, cord blood hemoglobin less than 12 gm/dl to be
taken as definitely anemic.

Note - All cord blood sample to be tested stat.

65
 ANTI RH ANTIBODY TITER

Specific objective
To provide information regarding the procedure of anti Rh antibody
titer to prevent hemolytic disease of newborn.
Mode of teaching : Lecture method, overhead projector and practical
demonstration.
Request for such investigation is made in suspected cases of HDN
(Haemolytic disease of new born)
The Principle is to prepare serial twofold dilutions of the test serum, mix Rh
positive O or ABO compatible cells and note the agglutination. Highest
dilution upto which macroscopic agglutination can be observed is the titer of
anti Rh antibody.

Primary aim of this test is to detect evidence of rising titre of anti-Rh

antibodies. There are many variables in this test. This created difficulty in
assessing rise in titre. Samples are being examined on different times -
about a month apart. At these different times there may be differing reagents
and personnel. To maintain identity of the conditions following precautions
need be taken.
1. Follow up test on a particular patient should be done by the same
technician.
2. As far as possible test cells should be taken from the same donor.
3. Patient's serum after the test must be stored frozen as control for the
next test. Suppose it is 1/16, it is taken as the base line.
4. On the next turn this original sample is titred side by side with the
fresh sample. A difference of two dilutions in the old and fresh sample
is considered significant.
Procedure
1. Take eleven 75x10 cm tubes in a row. Lable first ten according to
dilution, 1,2,4,8,16,32,64,128,256,512. Leave the last one blank.
2. Place 0.1 ml of saline in each tube except the first.

66
3. Add 0.1 ml of test serum to the tube 1 and 2. Mix From tube 2 take
0.1 ml of diluted serum and add to tube 3 and mix. In this way make
doubling dilution upto tube 10 which will now contain 0.2ml of dilution
serum (1/512). 0.1ml of diluted serum from tube 10 is placed in the
unlabeled tube. This tube is kept in reverse in case testing is to be
done in further higher dilutions. All the tube 1 to 10 will contain same
volume of 0.1ml.
4. Add a drop of 22% Bovine albumin to each tube and mix.
5. Add 1 drop of 2.5% O Rh positive or Rh positive same group cells as
the patient. Mix.
6. Incubate the tube for 30 mts as 370 C.
7. Centrifuge for 1 min at 1000 to 1500 rpm. Observe for agglutination
macroscopically. Reciprocal of the dilution is the titer.
8. In case no or weak agglutination is observed, wash cells of each tube
4 times and perform coomb's test and report.
9. If each titer is more than 512, make further dilution from the unlabeled
tube and proceed as before.

Blood type to be used for exchange transfusion of new born babies.

Principle
1. Blood must lack the red cells antigens corresponding to the maternal
antibodies.
2. In Rh and "other" HDN it is desirable to transfuse with blood of the
infant's own ABO group, provided the mother's serum is ABO
compatible. There is no advantage of Rh Negative blood for an Rh
positive baby unless HDN is caused by anti D antibodies.
3. In ABO HDN, group O cells of the same Rh type as the baby should
be used.

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 If Mother is and Baby is Donor should be
1. O Negative A, B, or O Positive O Negative
2. A Negative A Positive A Negative or O Negative
3. A Negative B Positive O Negative
4. A Negative AB Positive A Negative or O Negative
5. B Negative B Positive B Negative or O Negative
6. B Negative A Positive O Negative
7. B Negative AB Positive B Negative or O Negative
8. A or B Negative O Positive O Negative
9. AB Negative AB Positive Any negative group
10. AB Negative A Positive A Negative or O Negative
11. AB Negative B Positive B Negative or O Negative
12. O Positive A, B or O Positive O Positive
13. O Positive A, B or O Negative O Negative
14. A Positive A Positive A Negative or O Positive
15. A Positive A Negative A Negative or O Negative
16. A Positive B Positive O Positive
17. A Positive B Negative O Negative
18. B Positive B Positive B Negative or O Positive
19. B Positive B Negative B Negative or O Negative
20. B Positive A Positive O Positive
21. B Positive A Negative O Negative
22. A or B Positive O Positive O Positive
23. A or B Positive O Negative O Negative
24. AB Positive AB Positive Any positive group
25. AB Positive A Positive A Positive or O Positive
26. AB Positive A Negative A Negative or O Negative
27. AB Positive B Positive B Positive or O Positive
28. AB Positive B Negative B Negative or O Negative
29. AB Positive AB Negative Any negative group

68
 TRANSFUSION OF NONGROUP SPECIFIC BLOOD
(Hetero-specific ABO Transfusion)
Specific objective
To provide information regarding alternative blood group transfusion.
Mode of teaching : Lecture method and overhead projector.
Sometimes a group specific blood is not available and due to
emergency, pleaded by the physician, a nonspecific group compatible in the
major cross match is desired. In other words a O group (Universal donor) to
any person or any group to a patient of AB group (universal recepient).
1. As far possible such a practice is to be discouraged.
2. Situation may arise that blood has to be given. In such a case only
packed cells by given and plasma be avoided as it is where the
antibodies to the recepient's blood would be present.
3. Still there may arise situations where the very life of the patient
depends on the supply of whole blood. In such a case the blood
should be supplied after excluding the presence of high titre of saline
antibodies in the donor's blood.
Following table is recommended for giving packed cells of group
nonspecific bloods.
Patient's group First choice of First alternative Second
donor alternative
O Group O Group None None
A Group A Group O red cells None
A2 containing anti A2 O red cells None
A1 (370C)
B group B group O red cells None
AB group AB group A or B red cells O red cells
A2B containing A2B group A2 or B red cells O red cells
anti A1 (370C)
Oh Bombay Oh Bombay None None

Note: A fresh infusion sets should be used whenever units of different ABO
groups are given subsequently.

69
In situations where A or B could be used, either one should be used only.
Subsequently if need be group O cells be used.
Note: In any of the situations where non group specific, pack cells or whole
blood has to be used. It should be done with the permission of the blood
bank and attending physicians.

Screening the nongroup specific donor for whole blood transfusion.

In case it is essential that whole blood has to be given the donor's blood
should be screened to see if there are :
1. High titres of anti A and/or anti B antibodies in 0 or other groups.
2. Presence of hemolysins.
Any of the two above will make the particular donor unsuitable for whole
blood transfusion. Titre of anti A and anti B should be less than 1 in 50.

Test for high titre saline antibodies

1. Prepare a 1:50 dilution of the serum under the test. Mix 0.1 ml and 4.9
ml saline.
2. Take two 75x10 ml test tubes and label them A and B.
3. Place 0.2 ml of diluted serum in each of the tubes.
4. Add 0.1ml of 4% saline suspension of A1 cells in the tube marked A
and similar suspension of B cell sin tube marked B.
5. Mix well and allow to stand at room temperature for 15 mts,
6. Centrifuge for 1 mt. at 1000 to 1500 rpm.
7. Gently dislodge the cell button and observe for macroscopic
agglutination.

Interpretation - Agglutination of either A or B cells indicates high titre

antibodies. Such a blood can only be given to its own group.

Test for hemolysins

1. Serum under the test should by fresh. Plasma or aged serum cannot
be used as presence of complement is needed to detect the
hemolysins.

70
2. Take two 75 x 10mm test tubes and mark them A and B.
3. Place 2 drops of serum in each tube.
4. Add 2 to 5% saline suspensions of A1 and B cells in tubes marked A
and B respectively.
5. Mix gently and incubated at 370C for 10 to 15 min.
6. Centrifuge and examine the supernatant against well lighted white
background. Any shade of pink or red will indicate the
7. Record result as positive or negative.

71
 PREPARATION OF BLOOD COMPONENTS
Specific objective
• To provide information about various components of blood.
• To provide information about preparation of blood components
• To provide information about indications of transfusion of various
blood components.
Mode of teaching : Lecture method, overhead projector and practical
demonstration.

Various components commonly used are:

1. Pack cells washed or unwashed.
2. Platelet rich plasma.
3. Platelet concentrate.
4. Fresh frozen plasma.
5. Cryoprecipitate
6. Platelet poor plasma

Items 1 and 6 can be prepared in any good blood bank. Others need
costly equipment's like refrigerated blood bank centrifuge and deep freeze
preferably - 600C.
With the supply of plastic bags in combinations of twos or threes the various
components can be separated in a close system.
1. Pack cells
Red cells of the units lying in the refrigerator gradually settle at the bottom
leaving clear plasma above. By gentle pressure the plasma above is
transferred to the second bag leaving only the pack cells. Do not try to
transfer the entire plasma, leave just a little. Pack cells are issued. The
plasma duly labeled with the group, date of bleeding is transferred to a deep
freeze to be issued as and when required.
2. Washed cells
If the recipient is allergic to plasma factors, red cells need to be free of all
trace of plasma. Plasma is removed and sterile pyrogen free saline

72
introduced and gently mixed. Bag is centrifuged and the saline removed. The
process is repeated and the washed cells are then transfused.
3. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP)
Collect blood in a double bag with ACD or CPD and store at 40C. Further
processing should be done within 24 hours.
In a refrigerated blood bag centrifuge spin at 4000 rpm for 6 min. at 50C.
Transfer 2/3rd of plasma into the satellite bag. Seal the tubing and separate
the bags.
Label the plasma bag as FFP with date and store at - 300C. The primary bag
is labeled as pack cells and stored as usual at 40C.
4. Cryoprecipitate
Three bag arrangement is used. Proceed as for FFP. Plasma is frozen with
the third bag (second satellite bag) attached to it. For preparation of
cryoprecipitate the frozen bag is kept for an hour at 40C. After an hour the
bag is hung upside down in the refrigerator with the satellite bag on the
lower shelf. Let the thawed plasma flow into the lower bag. The
cryoprecipitate remain, enmeshed in the frozen plasma in the primary bag.

When the primary bag weighs about 30 gm, the tubing between the two
bags sealed and the bags separated. Cryoprecipitate are stored at - 300C
and the rest of the plasma at 40C.
Cryoprecipitate from a single unit of blood provides 80 to 100 IU of factor
VIII.
5. Platelet rich plasma (PRP)
Make sure that the donor's platelet count is at least 150,000 per cm. and has
not taken aspirin and related substances in the last 5 days.
Use double bag arrangement. Collect blood as usual and keep at 200C. Do
not refrigerate.
Load the centrifuge and let the bags lie undisturbed at 200 C for one hour.
Then centrifuge at 900 G for 9 min. Remove 2/3rd volume of plasma to the
second bag. This is PRP. It should be stored at 200C till transfused, which
should be done as early as possible, preferably within 24 hours.

73
6. Platelet concentrate
Centrifuge the PRP at 2500 rpm for 20 min. The upper layer of plasma is
PPP - platelet poor plasma. Transfer it to the satellite bag, leaving about 50
ml. of plasma with the centrifuged platelets. It should be kept at 200C with
constant but gentle agitation till transfused. This is necessary to prevent
aggregation of platelets.
Platelet poor plasma is stored in the refrigerator.

Whole blood and component transfusion

Transfusion of blood and its products is of major benefit to the patients in
specific situation. The relative safety of the procedure should not blind us to
the fact that, inspite of rigid care and preventive measures a small but
significant number of untoward reactions occur some of these may carry
mortality or severe morbidity. Accordingly transfusion should be given on
firm indications. Physician should weigh the advantage of blood transfusion
against the possible dangers. As far as possible only that component be
transfused that is needed by the patient. (component therapy)
Lack of specific indication is an important contraindication of blood
transfusion

Whole blood and components

1. Fresh whole blood - (upto three days after drawing) For transfusing in
children, transfusion of platelets labile coagulation factors, white cells
and exchange transfusions.
2. Whole blood - for cases is acute blood loss e.g. trauma, post partum
haemorrhage, hematemesis, malena etc.
3. Pack cells (erythrocyte suspension) correction of anemia
4. Fresh frozen plasma - coagulation factor deficiency
5. Stored plasma - shock, hypoproteinemia, stable coagulation factor. It
can be given as a single unit or pooled.
6. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) or platelet concentrate - for cases of
thrombocytopenia due to any cause.

74
7. Leucocyte suspension - agranulocytosis.
8. Factor 8,9, or 10 concentrate for specific factor deficiencies.
9. Fibrinogen concentrate or cryoprecipitates for cases of
hypofibrinogenemia and factor 8.

Note : donor for platelets should not have taken aspirin compounds for at
least a week before donation

Indications of blood transfusion

1. Anemia : It is can be due to a variety of causes. Depending on the
severity and underlying status of patient, symptoms due to hypoxia
may result. In cases where the anaemic is asymptomatic and marrow
regenerative activity in good, blood transfusion should be avoided.
For most of the cases of anaemia, pack cells are to be preferred,
following guide lines are given.
a. Acute hemorrhagic anemia - whole blood
b. HDN - whole blood exchange transfusion
c. Correction of anemia before surgery - whole blood or pack cells
d. All anemias refractory to treatment - Pack cells
e. Any severe anemia as a life saving measure - Pack cells
2. Leukemia
a. Acute - whole blood, platelet concentrate
b. Chronic - whole blood.
3 Agranulocytosis leucocyte suspension
4. Haemorrhagic disease
a. Thrombocytopenia - suspension of fresh whole blood
b. Hemophilia - Factor VIII concentrate or Fresh frozen Plasma.
c. Hypofibrinogenemia - Cryoprecipitate
d. Factor IX deficiency - Factor IX concentrate
e. Factor X deficiency - Factor X Concentrate
f. Factor V deficiency - Fresh frozen plasma.
g. Other factor deficiencies eg. VII, XI, XII, XIII - Plasma
5. Therapy for Shock - Whole blood or plasma.
6. Hypoproteinemia - Plasma or Albumin.

75
 TRANSFUSION TRANSMITTED DISEASE.
Specific objective
• To provide basic information regarding the various types of
transfusion transmitted diseases.
• To provide basic information about the side effects of transfusion
transmitted diseases and methods to detect them at the earliest.

Mode of teaching
Lecture method, overhead projector and practical demonstration.

The blood which is transfused may sometimes cause disease to the

recipient, because of presence of some microorganism in the donor's blood
if not tested properly before transfusion. Therefore stress is made especially
on providing "SAFE BLOOD" to the recipient.
The main diseases transmitted through blood are hepatitis, syphilis,
malaria and AIDS and infrequently brucellosis, toxoplasmosis and some
other viral infections like CMV, Polio, herpes and Epstein Barr Virus [EBV].

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

Hepatitis B virus is a DNA containing virus of Hepadena viridae
family. It represents a spherical double layered Dane particle that has an
outer surface envelope of protein, lipid and carbohydrate enclosing a slightly
hexagonal core. The genome of HBV is a partially double stranded circular
DNA molecule.
It contain a nucleocapsed "core" protein HbC Ag- Hepatitis B core
antigen which replicates in the nuclei of infected hepatocytes and possess a
distinct antigenic specificity. The virion core antigen contains DNA
polymerase activity and double standard DNA molecule.
The major structural protein of Lipoprotein viral coat is HBsAg. the
infected hepatocytes are capable of synthesizing and secreting massive
quantities of non infective surface protein HBs Ag which is detected in the
blood banks by various methods like.

76
1. Passive Haemogglutination assay.
2. Enzyme immuno assay.
3. Radio immune assay

Hepatitis C virus
It is a small enveloped single standed RNA virus of family flaviviridae with a
genome that codes for a single poly protein.
This HCV virus gives rise to anti HCV (IgG) antibody which can be detected
serologically.
Syphilis
The blood and its components may transmit syphilis and the
incubation period is 1-4.5 months averaging 9-10 weeks. This can also be
detected serologically by V.D.R.L test for syphilis, which is a flocculation test.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
CMV is transmitted by transfusion of blood or components containing
white cells in patients with impaired immunity e.g. premature infants and
bone marrow transplant recipients.
The main features are fever and splenomegaly with mononucleosis in
3-5 weeks after transfusion of fresh blood in large quantity.
Because of generally mild disease and high prevalence of positive
donors screening of all donors is not feasible. However, the blood banks
should have CMV negative blood donor on panel.

Malaria
The plasmodium causes malaria in man, they infect red blood cells
and thus transfusion of cellular component may transmit the disese. In non
endemic area it is therefore important to exclude donor who have returned
from endemic area. People who have visited an endemic area are deferred
for at least 6 months.

77
Acquired immuno deficiency syndrome
AIDS is a complex disease in which the individuals defense mechanism is
broken down and thus the person is prone to infection and or malignances.

The etiological agent responsible for AIDS is a typical retrovirus with

an outer glycoprotein coat or envelop and an internal protein core containing
single stranded RNA and the enzyme reverse transcriptase.

The retrovirus contain three main structural genes the gag gene which
codes for the core protein, pol (polymerase) gene which codes for the
polymerase enzyme complex (reversal transcriptase) and envelop (envelop)
gene which codes for the envelop glycoproteins.

Enzyme linked immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Total protein material from purified detergent disrupted HIV virions,
peptide for recombinant protein is attached to a solid phase [plastic beds or
microtitre well].
1. Competitive ELISA
In competitive ELISA core (p24) and envelop (gp 41) HIV antigens
prepared by recombinant DNA techniques are used and they are coated to
the micro wells of microplates called solid phase.

Principle - The test serum of plasma specimens and control sera are
incubated in the wells with human anti-HIV chemically conjugated to the
enzyme like horse raddish peroxidase (conjugate) competition for binding to
the coated HIV antigen occurs between anti HIV in the test sample or control

78
sera and in conjugate. A test sample containing anti HIV will block the
binding of the conjugate to occur.

After thorough aspiration and washing of the wells to remove the

excess sample and conjugate, the anti HIV in test sample or conjugate
remain attached to the solid phase. Then a substrate material which
changes colour in the presence of enzyme is added to all wells and
incubated in the dark. After incubation the enzyme reaction in terminated
with blocking agent like sulphuric acid. An intense colour signifies a non
reactive, while lack of colour signifies a reactive specimen. The results are
read photometrically.
2. Indirect ELISA - It is a solid phase enzyme immunoassay utilizing
polystyrene wells of microtitre plate or beads coated with proteins
representing HIV core and envelope antigens. Human test serm or
plasma and control are incubated with solid phase coated with HIV
antigens. Antibodies reactive to HIV if present in the test sample will
attach to the solid phase.

After incubation, unbound material are aspirated and the solid phase
is washed with washing fluid. Anti HIV will remain attached to the solid
phase. These anti HIV are detected by the use of anti human immuno
globulin antibody to which an enzyme has been attached called conjugate.
The conjugate binds to human immunoglobulin (i.e. anti HIV) on incubation.

After incubation, unbound material are aspirated and the solid phase
is washed with washing fluid. Then a substrate, which changes colour in the
presence of enzyme in added to all wells and incubated in the dark. After
incubation the enzyme reaction is stopped with blocking agent like slphuric
acid. The intensity of the colour in relation to the cut off value determines
whether specimen is reactive or not.

All HIV positive samples are confirmed by western blot method.

79
 On the same principle of Indirect ELISA - HBsAg and anti HCV
antibodies for hepatitis B and hepatitis C are detected.

80
References
1. Dr. R.N. Makroo - Compendium of transfusion medicine. 1999.
2. Ennio C. Rossi, Toby L. Simon, Gerald S. Moss, Steven A. Gould -
Principles of transfusion medicine 2nd edition. 1996.
3. Kaaron Benson, Donald r. Branch - Technical Manual AABB. 12th
edition. 1996
4. Lawrence D. Petz, Swtt N. Swisher - Clinical practice of Transfusion
medicine. 2nd edition 1989.
5. Training module for laboratory technologist . Transfusion medicine -
National AIDS control organisation, Ministry of Health and family
welfare, Government of India 1995.

81