THE DETERMINATION OF THE SURVIVAL OF TRANSFUSED RED CELLS BY A METHOD OF DIFFERENTIAL HEMOLYSIS 1

Abstract

Measurement of the survival of normal and abnormal group-0 erythrocytes in a variety of recipients is accomplished with accuracy and reliability by means of a new method of differential hemolysis. Potent human isohemolysins, Anti-A and Anti-B are used. Most sera obtained from the Knickerbocker Blood Bank, New York, N. Y., yielded satisfactory "blank" counts in Group A1, B, and AB subjects. Known mixtures of group-O cells with group-A or B cells were accurately separated. Seven survival studies performed utilizing differential hemolysis in parallel with a method of differential agglutination establish the reliability and utility of the method in clinical study. Equal volumes of the patient''s whole blood obtained without anticoagulant and diluted 1 in 51 in 0.85% NaCl, of fresh normal serum, and of hemolytic antiserum are added by automatic glass pipette (Mollison). Counting of unhemolyzed cells is accomplished after incubation at 37[degree] C for 15 min. Antisera stored at -15[degree]C until used have retained their potency for periods up to 13 mos. Since only Anti-A and Anti-B isohemolysins are available, studies are limited to the ABO system. The method is advantageous, because it (1) facilitates counting by eliminating clumps of recipients cells (2) eliminates arbitrary techniques of centrifuging and resuspending and (3) permits separation of the donor cell population for such procedures as the Coombs'' test.