Reducing time to result for blood bank diagnostic testing
View Patent ↗Methods for reducing time to result in blood bank diagnostic testing with an agitation device and a low ionic strength solution are disclosed. Specifically provided are methods for reducing incubation time for antigen-antibody reactions in an immunohematologic assay by subjecting the assay reactants to incubation with agitation and optionally additionally a low ionic strength diluent.
1. A method for reducing time to result in the form of agglutination in immunohematology assays, comprising
(a) providing a microtube containing an upper chamber and a lower chamber which contains an anti-IgG matrix for separating agglutinated from non-agglutinated cells;
(b) admixing a sample with antigen positive red blood cells (“RBCs”); admixed with a low ionic strength diluent;
(c) depositing the product of the admixture of step (b) to the upper chamber of the microtube;
(d) incubating the product of the admixture of step (c) at 37° C. with continuous agitation for 2 minutes;
(e) centrifuging the microtube; and
(f) reading the result in the form of agglutination.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sample is plasma or serum.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the continuous agitation is provided by a mechanical agitation block.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the continuous agitation is provided manually.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the anti-IgG matrix comprises a gel.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the anti-IgG matrix comprises glass beads.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the low ionic strength diluent has a low ionic strength of less than about 0.03 M.
8. A method for reducing time to result in the form of agglutination in immunohematology assays, comprising:
(a) providing a microtube containing an upper chamber and a lower chamber which contains an anti-IgG matrix for separating agglutinated from non-agglutinated cells;
(b) depositing a red blood cell sample admixed with a low ionic strength diluent to the upper chamber of the microtube;
(c) incubating the microtube at 37° C. with continuous agitation for 2 minutes;
(a) centrifuging the microtube; and
(b) reading the result in the form of agglutination.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the continuous agitation is provided by a mechanical agitation block.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein the continuous agitation is provided manually.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein the anti-IgG matrix comprises a gel.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein the anti-IgG matrix comprises glass beads.
13. The method of claim 8 wherein the low ionic strength diluent has a low ionic strength of less than about 0.03 M.