Problem-solving strategies in immunohematology: detection of irregular redcell antibodies

Detection and identification of irregular red-cell antibody in the serum or plasma of a patient is of prime importance for the prevention of hemolytic transfusion reactions and the biological supervision of the hemolytic dise ase of the foetus or the newborn. Practice in these tests is replete with c omplex biological problems. Using problem solving strategies, we discuss th e recognition and resolution of the most frequent difficulties encountered in red cell antibody identification. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et med icales Elsevier SAS.