Association of sex, age and ABO-Rh(D) type with unexpected antibodies among multitransfused thalassemia patients in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India

The thalassemia has become a sensitive issue for clinical and public health owing to the morbidity and mortality caused and potential risks associated with multiple transfusions. Here, a blood bank based cross sectional analytical study was carried out during the period of three months from January 2017 to March 2017, among transfusion dependent beta thalassemia major patients. ABO-Rh(D) blood grouping and screening for unexpected red cell antibodies (other than anti-A and anti-B antibodies) were performed on a Immucor Galileo Neo System (fully automated immunohematology analyzer). Out of 56 patients, 37 (66%) were males and 19 (34%) were females with a male to female ratio of 1.95:1. Two cases (3.6%) were detected positive by antibody screening. Alloimmunization was statistically analyzed on the basis of age, sex and subjects'' ABO-Rh blood group. This study underlines the need for unexpected antibody screening among thalassemic patients receiving blood transfusion therapy.     

Rh isoimmunization during pregnancy: antenatal prophylaxis.

Of 3533 Rh-negative women who began a pregnancy without detectable Rh antibodies, 62 (1.8%) demonstrated evidence of Rh isoimmunization during pregnancy or within 3 days after delivery. All denied transfusions as well as abortions or previous pregnancies not followed by the administration of Rh immune globulin. Rh isoimmunization during pregnancy or within 3 days after delivery, which will not be prevented by the administration of Rh immune globulin after delivery, is the most important cause of residual Rh isoimmunization. A clinical trial of antenatal administration of Rh immune globulin, initially at 34 weeks''s and subsequently at 28 and 34 weeks'' gestation, in 1357 Rh-negative pregnant women who were delivered of Rh-positive babies, was effective in preventing the development of Rh isoimmunization during pregnancy or within 3 days after delivery. Antenatal prophylaxis with Rh immune globulin will be necessary if the incidence of Rh isoimmunization is to be reduced to its lowest possible level. Antenatal prophylaxis at 28 weeks'' gestation is now an insured service in Manitoba.     

Frequency of unexpected red blood cell antibodies in Nanjing

The development of unexpected red blood cell antibodies can significantly complicate transfusion therapy and result in more difficulties in cross-matching of blood. This study aimed to determine the occurrence rate of red blood cell alloimmunization in patients from Nanjing and the surrounding area. The antibody screening tests were carried out on 604 patients in Nanjing Red Cross Blood Center from January 2014 to December 2016, and the results were compiled and statistically analyzed. In the 604 patients, 483 cases revealed autoantibodies with or without underlying alloantibodies, while 121 patients had only alloantibodies in their serum. The overall frequency of alloimmunization was 32.5%. The most frequent antibodies were what against the Rh systerm(72.39%), followed by MN system (25.71%).     

Incidence of rhesus immunisation after genetic amniocentesis.

Of 655 Rh negative women without anti-D antibody in their serum at genetic amniocentesis, 361 delivered a Rh positive infant. Prophylactic treatment with anti-D immunoglobulin was not given at amniocentesis. The women were followed prospectively, being given a screening test for antibody after amniocentesis, at delivery, and six months later. Five of these 361 women yielded a positive test result due to anti-D antibody. The immunisation rate after genetic amniocentesis was no higher than the spontaneous immunisation rate during pregnancy. Four women who had two amniocenteses in the same pregnancy and 34 women who had amniocentesis in two consecutive pregnancies with Rh positive fetuses were not immunised. Among six women with anti-D antibody in their serum before amniocentesis the titre of antibody increased in three. Amniocentesis may have worsened the outcome of these pregnancies. These results suggest that the risk of immunisation in Rh negative women is small.     

Incidence of unexpected red blood cell antibodies in the north of China

This study aimed to investigate the frequency of unexpected antibodies and evaluate the cumulative incidence of additional unexpected antibodies in Beijing. From January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014, blood samples from 2,095 patients from 98 medical institutes in Beijing were sent to the Beijing Red Cross Blood Center for antibody identification. Of the unexpected antibodies, 29.5% were autoantibodies and 70.5% were alloantibodies. Anti-E was the most prevalent form of allo-antibodies (n = 445), accounting for 52.9% of the Rh system, followed by anti-M (76.6% of the MNS system) and then 142 cases of anti-C,e, 128 cases of anti-E,c, and 113 cases of anti-Lea. The cumulative incidences of additional antibodies were 0.55% (after the first transfusion), 1.82% (second time), 2.33% (fourth time), 3.07% (firth time), and 4.24% (seventh time). Antibody against the Rh system was the most prevalent, followed by antibodies against MNS, Lewis, Kidd, P1, and Duffy.     

A case of hemolytic disease in a newborn associated with anti-Wra (WRIGHT) antibodies

A french woman delivered a third full-term male baby who had a strongly positive direct antiglobulin test. During the pregnancy and after the delivery, the woman had a negative irregular antibody screening test using standard red blood cell panels. The compatibility testing between the mother's serum and the father's red blood cells was strongly positive and the antibody was identified as an anti-Wra. The baby developed a mild hyperbilirubinemia and recovered without treatment. This child was probably responsible for his mother's immunization since the two previous children were Wra negative and the mother had no history of blood transfusion or abortion.     

The serologic screening for celiac disease in the general population (blood donors) and in some high-risk groups of adults (patients with autoimmune diseases,osteoporosis and infertility) in the Czech republic

The prevalence of celiac disease (CD) was determined in healthy blood donors and in high-risk groups of adults (a total of 1835 adults—randomly selected 1312 healthy blood donors, 102 patients with primary osteoporosis, 58 patients with autoimmune diseases and 365 infertile women). It was calculated on the basis of a two-step serologic screening method—in the first step IgA and IgG antigliadin antibodies (AGA) and IgA anti-γ-glutamyltransferase (‘transglutaminase’) antibodies (ATG) were estimated, in the second step sera positive for IgA AGA and/or IgA ATG were examined for antiendomysial IgA (AEA) antibodies. Immunoenzymic assay (ELISA) was used for determining of AGA and ATG antibodies; immunoflurescence method, performed on human umbilical cord tissue, was used for assaying of AEA antibodies. Total serum IgA level in only IgG AGA positive subjects was measured by routine turbidimetric method. 0.45% of healthy blood donors, 0.98% of osteoporotic patients, 2.7% of patients suffering from autoimmune disease and 1.13% of women with infertility considered as immunologically mediated were found to be positive in both steps of serologic screening (AGA and/or ATG and antiendomysium positive). The presumed high prevalence of seropositivity for CD in apparently healthy Czech adult population was confirmed. In the high-risk groups, the prevalence of seropositivity for CD was approximately 2–4 times higher than in healthy blood donors. The real prevalence of CD in the tested groups, however, can be estimated after performing small intestinal biopsy in the seropositive patients.     

新生溶血病患儿红细胞上致敏抗体对Rh 血型检测的影响

目的:探讨新生溶血病患儿红细胞致敏抗体对其Rh血型鉴定的影响。方法:采用抗球蛋白法、盐水法、微柱凝胶法(Rh血型测定型)、凝聚胺法和抗血清微柱凝胶法(Ig G型)五种方法对近三年来我院收集的163例新生溶血病患儿红细胞进行Rh血型检测,对五种检测结果不一致的患儿红细胞进行0.2 M 2-巯基乙醇抗体放散,比较放散后五种方法检测结果并验证其准确性。结果:29例直接抗体试验阳性患儿的五种Rh血型检测结果不一致,经0.2 M 2-巯基乙醇抗体放散后检测结果均一致。Rh血型准确性验证表明,红细胞放散测定的Rh血型完全符合临床现象。结论:患儿红细胞的致敏抗体达一定数量后,会影响抗球蛋白法、盐水法、微柱凝胶法(Rh血型测定型)、凝聚胺法和抗血清微柱凝胶法(Ig G型)对Rh血型鉴定,0.2M 2-巯基乙醇抗体放散法是一种正确鉴定新生儿Rh血型的简单可行的方法。     

Prevalence of antibodies to human T cell leukaemia/lymphoma virus in blood donors in north London.

OBJECTIVES--To determine the prevalence of antibodies to the human T cell leukaemia/lymphoma viruses (HTLV-I and HTLV-II) in blood donors in north London in order to assess the economic impact and the logistic effects that routine screening would have on the blood supply. DESIGN--All donations collected by the north London blood transfusion centre between January 1991 and June 1991 were screened for antibodies to HTLV-I and HTLV-II by modified, improved Fujirebio gel particle agglutination test. Positive samples were titrated and retested as necessary. SUBJECTS--96,720 unpaid volunteers, who gave 105,730 consecutive donations of blood and plasma. SETTING--North London blood transfusion centre. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Observed numbers of donors confirmed to be seropositive for HTLV by reference laboratories. RESULTS--Of 2622 (2.5%) initially reactive samples, 414 (0.4% of all samples) gave a titre of > or = 1 in 16 on the modified agglutination test. Thirty five of the 414 serum samples yielded positive results on one of two enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA (Cambridge Biotech and Abbot)), and none of these results were confirmed by either reference laboratory. Five samples yielded positive results on both ELISAs and all five of these were confirmed to contain antibodies to HTLV. One of the five contained antibodies to HTLV-II and the others antibodies to HTLV-I. Four seropositive donors were white women whose only risk factor for infection was sexual contact. The fifth (positive for antibodies to HTLV-II) was an Anglo-Caribbean man who admitted to previous misuse of intravenous drugs. CONCLUSION--The prevalence of antibodies to HTLV in blood donors in north London was one in 19,344 (0.005%). Up to 100 donors a year might be identified in the United Kingdom as being infected with HTLV, although prevalence in different regions may vary considerably.     

RhD正定型及不规则抗体筛查的临床意义分析

目的:探究RhD正定型及不规则抗体筛查在预防临床输血不良反应中的应用价值及临床意义。方法:回顾性分析2010年至2011年、2017年至2018年于首都医科大学附属北京同仁医院输血科实施输血治疗的1892例患者,将2010年至2011年未实施Rh D正定型及不规则抗体筛查时输血治疗的901例患者设为对照组,将2017年至2018年实施RhD正定型及不规则抗体筛查后输血治疗的991例患者设为观察组。对比两组输血不良反应发生率,分析不同血液成分、不同性别、不同年龄输血不良反应发生率,并就2017年、2018年受血者RhD正定型及不规则抗体特异性分布进行罗列。结果:(1)2010年输血不良反应发生率为3.49%,2011年为2.40%,2017年为1.33%,2018年为0.74%,对照组不良反应发生率明显高于观察组(P<0.05)。(2)观察组不同血液成分输血的不良反应发生率显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。(3)两组不同年龄和性别输血不良反应发生率对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。(4)观察组共检出20例RhD正定型及不规则抗体阳性患者,其中抗-M型5例,抗-D型3例,抗-E型2例,抗-C型2例,抗-P型2例,抗-LEa型1例,抗-LEb型1例,抗-JKa型1例,抗-N型1例,抗-H型1例,非特异性抗体1例。结论:RhD正定型及不规则抗体筛查能够显著降低输血不良反应发生率,有助于提高配血的准确性,提高输血治疗的安全性。     

Cytotoxic antibodies to thymocyte antigens in rheumatism and other diseases

Cytotoxic antibodies reacting with mouse and human thymocytes were detected in rheumatic patients' sera. The level of cytotoxic antibodies was considerably higher in active than in inactive process. A correlation was found between the antibody level and the clinical course of rheumatic fever. The cytotoxic index was the highest in sera of patients with acute rheumatic fever. Thymocytotoxic antibodies were also found in other autoimmune diseases. In sera of normal individuals, antibodies to thymocytes were revealed rarely and in small quantities. A possible role of thymocytotoxic antibodies as a cause of deficit of T suppressors in autoimmune diseases is discussed.     

Role of HLA antigens in Rh (D) alloimmunized pregnant women from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Immunogenetic studies in various diseases provide potential genetic markers. We have studied the incidence of HLA A, B, C, DR and DQ loci antigen in Rh (D) antigen isoimmunized mothers compared to those nonimmunized isoimmunized Rh negative mothers. Seventy six mothers who were immunized to Rh (D) antigen due to pregnancy (responders) and fifty four mothers who did not develop Rh (D) isoimmunization despite positive pregnancies (nonresponders) were selected for the study. Standard methods of serological HLA typing, ABO and Rh (D) groups, and screening for Rh D antibodies were used. 392 unrelated individuals from the population were compared as controls. In addition 45 unrelated individuals from the same population were typed for HLA DRB and DQB gene using PCR-SSP kits. The genotype frequencies of HLA A2, A3, A28, B13, B17, B35, B52, B60, Cw2, Cw6, DR4, and DQ3 were significantly increased, while the frequencies of the HLA A11, A29, A31, B7, B37, B51, Cw1 and DR9 were decreased in the responder women when compared to the non-responder women. HLA A30 (19) split antigen was not identified in immunized women while HLA A23 (9) split antigen was not identified in non immunized women. HLA A3, B17, Cw2 and DR4 showed a significant relative risk among the immunized responder women. When compared with Rh immunized women (responders) reported from USA, England and Hungary the phenotype frequencies of HLA A11, A24, A28, B5, B17, B40, DR2 and DR5 were increased while HLA A23, B8, B18, and DR6 were decreased in the Indian Rh immunized women. Two locus haplotype frequency analysis observed among the responders women revealed that among the significant haplotypes expressed A2–B5, B7–Cw1, DR2–DQ1 were highly significant haplotypes in positive linkage, while A1–B5, and A1–B7 were in significant negative linkage disequilibrium. The haplotype frequencies were ≤one when these common hapoltypes were compared with control population. Thus in the present study it is evident that the inheritance of HLA A3, B17, Cw2 and DR4 increases the relative risk factor by 2.6 times among Indian Rh isoimmunized women. Further, it is evident that there are significant differences in the observed HLA antigen frequencies and two locus haplotypes in Rh isoimmunized women when compared to women from USA, UK and Hungary due to extreme HLA polymorphism in different populations of the world     

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection in Japan and HCV infection in haemodialysis patients

Abstract: Since January 1990, Japanese Red Cross Blood Centres have introduced hepatitis C virus screening with a first-generation ELISA. From April to December 1992, approximately 0.98% among 10905 489 blood donations screened by a second-generation assay were anti-HCV-positive in all Japan. Seropositivity of anti-HCV increased with the age and serum transminase value in both sexes. In blood donors having a history of transfusion, the anti-HCV reactive rate was 7.4%. The results of the study made by the Japanese Red Cross Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis Research Group show the effectiveness of implementation of HCV screening to prevent posttransfusion hepatitis. Consecutive haemodialysis patients with chronic renal failure are at risk for inflection by a variety of blood-borne agents transmitted within dialysis units. Because of their immunocompromised state, they frequently also have an unusual susceptibility to a variety of nosocomial infections, such as HBV, and HTLV-I. We tested the prevalence of anti-HCV in 1423 (848 males and 575 females) haemodialiysis patients from 18 hospitals in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan using the Orhto first generation anti- HCV screening assay. There were 316 patients (22.2%) positive for HCV antibodies. The second-generation test was positive in most haemodialysis patients who were eractive to the firs-generation assay. The prevalence of HCV infection increased with the duration of haemodialysis, yet there was a high frequency of HCV seropositivity even wihtout blood transfusion. Acquisition of HCV in dialysis patients could be explained by HCV seropositivity even without blood (all haemodialysis are done with disposable kits, and needles), by secondary HCV infection after the immunodeficiency of haemodialysis, or by HCV infection of the kidney or glomerular deposition of immune HCV/anti-HCV complexes leading to chronic renal failure (as with HBV infection of the liver and kidney).     

ABO血型正反定型及交叉配血实验在外科病人手术输血中应用

目的:探讨ABO血型正反定型及交叉配血实验在外科手术患者输血中的应用效果及影响因素。方法:选取我院自2017年2月-2019年2月收治的80例行ABO正反定型与交叉配血治疗的外科手术患者,记录ABO反定型与交叉配血不合的标本,使用2-Me处理被患者自身冷抗体凝集的红细胞,同时使用微柱凝胶法、凝聚胺法对血型不规则抗体以及特异性进行筛选和鉴定。分析ABO血型反定型不符合以及交叉配血不合的影响因素。结果:对正反定型完全无凝集反应的80例血清标本进行交叉配血实验,其中8例存在凝集反应,配血不合情况;导致外科手术患者输血中ABO血型反定型不符交叉配血不合的主要因素包括自身冷抗体、血型抗原性减弱、血型不规则抗体以及血型抗体效价减弱等。结论:ABO血型正反定型及交叉配血治疗中的患者中,大部分配血一致,少数的交叉配血不合,主要与自身冷抗体、血型抗原性减弱、血型不规则抗体以及血型抗体效价减弱等因素相关。     

Microchimerism: incidental byproduct of pregnancy or active participant in human health?

It is now well recognized that cells traffic in both directions between fetus and mother during pregnancy. Moreover, fetal cells have been found to persist for years, probably for a lifetime, in the circulation of healthy women. Harboring of cells from another individual at low levels is called microchimerism. Women have a predilection to autoimmune disease, and chronic graft-versus-host disease, a condition of human chimerism, shares similarities with some autoimmune diseases. The specific HLA genes of donor and host are known to be of central importance in graft-versus-host disease, and HLA class II genes are important in autoimmune disease. Considered together, these observations led to the hypothesis that microchimerism and HLA genes of host and non-host cells are involved in autoimmune diseases. Alternative sources of microchimerism include transfer from a twin or the mother during pregnancy, or from blood transfusion. Studies of systemic sclerosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, Sj?grens syndrome, pruritic eruption of pregnancy, myositis, and thyroid disease have both lent support and raised doubts about a potential role of microchimerism in autoimmune disease.     

An immuno-haematological study among pregnant women of Patiala (India).

The present study has been conducted on 500 pregnant women belonging to Patiala city (Punjab State, India), during various stages of pregnancy, who were investigated for evidence of immunization. Incidence of immunization was found to be 1.20% in total sample and 25.00% in Rh (D) negative pregnant women. All the immunized cases were multiparae. Immunized cases were more in second trimester. Obstetrical histories of immunized cases suggest that five of them were probably immunized due to repeated pregnancies and one case was probably due to previous still births. A greater fertility was observed in the immunized group as compared to other groups. No case of immunization had previous history of blood transfusion. Rh-immunization was also studied in relation to AB0-incompatibility.     

WinRho: Rh immune globulin prepared by ion exchange for intravenous use.

An Rh immune globulin [Rh IgG] for intravenous use, WinRho, has been prepared by the Winnipeg Rh Institute by a modification of the ion-exchange column method of Hoppe and colleagues. When administered to Rh-negative male and nonpregnant female volunteers WinRho was found to be nonpyrogenic, nontoxic, safe and protective against Rh alloimmunization. In a clinical trial with 240 microgram given at about 28 weeks'' gestation and 120 microgram given after delivery to Rh-negative women at risk of Rh immunization WinRho was effective in preventing Rh immunization. Of the 870 women carrying Rh-positive fetuses who were treated with WinRho during pregnancy and were not tested several months after delivery 14 would have shown evidence of Rh immunization by the time of delivery if WinRho had been ineffective; none showed such evidence. Of the 1122 women carrying Rh-positive fetuses who were retested 4 to 6 months after delivery 83 would have shown evidence of Rh immunization at that time if WinRho had been ineffective; only 1 showed such evidence. The efficiency of yield of anti-D with the modified method of production, the fct that it can be given intravenously (a route that causes the patient less discomfort and immediately results in high anti-D levels) and the lower levels of contaminating IgA and IgM make WinRho the preparation of choice for preventing Rh immunization.     

Effects of Latent Toxoplasmosis on Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases in Pregnancy

Background

Toxoplasmosis, one of the most common zoonotic diseases worldwide, can induce various hormonal and behavioural alterations in infected hosts, and its most common form, latent toxoplasmosis, influences the course of pregnancy. Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) belong to the well-defined risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a link between latent toxoplasmosis and maternal AITD in pregnancy.

Methods

Cross-sectional study in 1248 consecutive pregnant women in the 9–12^th gestational weeks. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb), and free thyroxine (FT4) were assessed by chemiluminescence; the Toxoplasma status was detected by the complement fixation test (CFT) and anti-Toxoplasma IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

Overall, 22.5% of the women were positive for latent toxoplasmosis and 14.7% were screened positive for AITD. Women with latent toxoplasmosis had more often highly elevated TPOAb than the Toxoplasma-negative ones (p = 0.004), and latent toxoplasmosis was associated with decrease in serum TSH levels (p = 0.049). Moreover, we found a positive correlation between FT4 and the index of positivity for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies (p = 0.033), which was even stronger in the TPOAb-positive Toxoplasma-positive women, (p = 0.014), as well as a positive correlation between FT4 and log₂ CFT (p = 0.009).

Conclusions

Latent toxoplasmosis was associated with a mild increase in thyroid hormone production in pregnancy. The observed Toxoplasma-associated changes in the parameters of AITD are mild and do not seem to be clinically relevant; however, they could provide new clues to the complex pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid diseases.     

International cohort study of 73 anti-Ku-positive patients: association of p70/p80 anti-Ku antibodies with joint/bone features and differentiation of disease populations by using principal-components analysis

Introduction

An international cohort study of 73 anti-Ku-positive patients with different connective tissue diseases was conducted to differentiate the anti-Ku-positive populations of patients based on their autoantibody profile and clinical signs/symptoms and to establish possible correlations between antibodies against Ku p70 and Ku p80 with autoimmune diseases.

Methods

Sera of anti-Ku-positive patients were collected from six European centers and were all secondarily tested (in the reference center); 73 were confirmed as positive. Anti-Ku antibodies were detected with counter-immunoelectrophoresis (CIE), line immunoassay (LIA), and immunoblot analyses. All clinical and laboratory data were follow-up cumulative data, except for anti-Ku antibodies. Statistical analyses were performed by using R (V 2.12.1). The Fisher Exact test was used to evaluate the association between anti-Ku antibodies and diagnosis, gender, clinical signs, and other observed antibodies. The P values were adjusted for multiple testing. Separation of disease populations based on the presence of antibodies and clinical signs was investigated by principal-components analysis, which was performed by using thr// R's prcomp function with standard parameters.

Results

A 16% higher prevalence of anti-Ku p70 was found over anti-Ku p80 antibodies. In 41 (57%) patients, a combination of both was detected. Five (7%) patients, who were CIE and/or LIA anti-Ku positive, were negative for both subsets, as detected with the immunoblot; 31% of the patients had undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD); 29% had systemic sclerosis (SSc); 18% had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); 11% had rheumatoid arthritis; 7% had polymyositis; and 3% had Sjögren syndrome.

Conclusions

A significant positive association was found between female patients with anti-Ku p70 and joint/bone features, and a significant negative association was found between female patients with anti-Ku p80 only and joint/bone features (P = 0.05, respectively). By using the first and the third components of the principal-component analysis (PCA) with 29 parameters evaluated, we observed that the anti-Ku-positive population of UCTD patients had overlapping parameters, especially with SLE, as opposed to SSc, which could be helpful in delineating UCTD patients.     

Automatic pre-transfusion serology]

This paper describes an automated apparatus combining Rosenfield's and Lalezari's antibody screening and identification basic technics. PVP bromelin and low ionic strength acid polybren channels are used; agglutinates are decanded; the remaining cells are hemolyzed and the optical density is then measured through a colorimeter and recorded on a chart; speed is of 40 samples an hour. This machine was also used for irregular antibody screening and identification. Sensitivity is shown to be equal to that of manual technics for ABO, Lewis, Lutheran as well as K, S, M, Kpb, Xga, U and Vel antibodies detection. Nevertheless, a much greater sensitivity is achieved (titers 3 to 10 times higher) than by manual technics for Rh, -k, S, Fya antibodies detection. Polybren channel is suitable for anti-Rh, Duffy, I and M (human detection; bromelin channel however, has a greater sensitivity for other specificities. Anti-M and anti-N sera from rabbits were shown to be non specific when using this machine. Over almost 15 000 sera tested, no antibody (detected by manual techniques) escaped the automated screening. This antibody detection machine was applied to compatibility tests prior to transfusion. (21 480 units were tested. aimed to be transfused to 5 611 patients). A third, PVP without bromelin, was set in parallel in order not to let escape any anti-M, even a weak one. The sera distributor was slaved to the cells distributor so that the whole procedure was automated. Furthermore, each serum was tested against red cells to be transfused, but also against the patient's own red cells to be transfused, but also against the patient's own red cells and against two selected red cells panels, so as to ensure irregular antibody detection at the same time. Using this machine, 3 to 4% of the cell samples were rejected, i.e. more than with usual techniques. All manually detected antibodies were identified, but also some others, which showed only weak reactions by classical techniques. Total results can be obtained within 20 to 30 minutes, which is quite rapid, compared to techniques using for example antiglobulin tests.