A new method for phenotyping red blood cells using microplates

Background and Objectives: The supply of phenotyped red blood cells (RBC) f or patients with several RBC antibodies presents a difficult task to hospit al blood banks and regional blood centers, The aim of this study was to est ablish a low-cost typing system to allow extensive phenotyping of regular b lood donors for clinically significant RBC antigens, Materials and Methods: We developed a new buffer that greatly intensifies the antigen-antibody re action and thus reduces the quantity of serum needed for phenotyping, The p rocedure was carried out on microplates. Results: A total of 20,435 regular blood donors have been typed to date. For 752 units required for transfusi on, 3,584 phenotyping tests were performed, validating the results by tube or gel typing methods; agreement was achieved in all cases. Conclusion: Thi s technique seems adequate for phenotyping a large number of RBC units at v ery low cost, thus facilitating the availability of phenotyped blood.