Clinically Significant and Insignificant Antibodies
Program Code: 5111-TC
Sunday, October 22, 2006
8:30 AM to 10:00 AM (ET)

MODERATOR
George Garratty, PhD, FRCPath, American Red Cross Blood Services

SPEAKERS
George Garratty, PhD, FRCPath, American Red Cross Blood Services
Joyce Poole, FRCPath, IBGRL

DESCRIPTION
Some antibodies are almost always considered clinically significant (e.g., anti-A and anti-B), while others are considered to be almost always clinically insignificant (e.g., antibodies not reactive at 37C). Most individual antibodies can be significant or insignificant in an individual patient. A major problem arises when an antibody reacts with most RBCs tested (e.g., an antibody to a high incidence antigen) and a decision has to be made whether to carry on searching for a very rare compatible donor or whether to transfuse incompatible blood. The speakers will discuss how their reference laboratory triage such problems. They will also discuss the question, "What do we mean by a clinically insignificant antibody?" Data will be presented that may help with the decision making.