National Reference Laboratory for Blood Group Serology

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Severe winter weather has forced the cancellation of blood drives and closure of donation centers in parts of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Hundreds of blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected. If you are in an area where it is safe to travel, please schedule to donate now.

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National Reference Laboratory for Blood Group Serology (NRLBGS)

With decades of experience in transfusion medicine and serology, the Red Cross offers the expertise and technology to help you achieve the best possible outcomes for your patients. The NRLBGS assists with the identification of red blood cell (RBC) antibodies, RBC phenotyping and crossmatching, and provides matched RBC units for patients requiring phenotype-selected RBC products in the management of sickle cell disease, as well as antigen-negative and IgA-deficient blood products.

Learn more about our services below, or to order call the National Reference Laboratory for Blood Group Serology at 215-451-4901.

Antibody Investigations

Indications

At the discretion of the hospital blood bank, pathologist or patient's physician.

Description

Identification of red blood cell (RBC) antibodies to high prevalence, low prevalence, single and/or multiple antigens
Evaluation of RBC autoantibodies
Investigation of Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAT)-negative autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Investigation of DAT-positive RBCs due to drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia
RBC phenotyping of patients (also see Molecular Testing information)
ABO discrepancy investigations
Transfusion reaction investigations
Investigations for hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN)
RBC unit matching for sickle cell disease patients
Test-of-record crossmatching services (availability may vary by location)

Test Methods

Tube, gel and solid phase RBC adherence methods (may vary by location)
Enhancement and inhibition media
Autologous, allogeneic and miscellaneous adsorptions
Chemical treatment of RBCs and plasma
Reticulocyte separations
Elution techniques
Titrations

Matched RBC Units for Sickle Cell Patients

Indications

For patients undergoing RBC transfusion therapy for management of sickle cell disease.

Description

Due to chronic transfusions, alloimmunization to RBC antigens is a significant risk for many patients with sickle cell disease. Studies have shown that the transfusion of RBCs matched for specific, immunogenic RBC antigens reduces alloimmunization rates and may facilitate long-term management of sickle cell disease patients. IRLs provide units that are phenotypically matched for selected RBC antigens of the patient.

Antigen-negative and IgA-deficient Blood Products

Indications

For patients with special blood requirements for units with phenotypically selected RBC antigens, or IgA-deficient plasma products.

Description

American Red Cross IRLs maintain an inventory of known antigen types to assist hospitals with antigen-negative blood needs. IRLs work through the American Rare Donor Program to locate and obtain rare units not available in inventory.

Services include:

Single and multiple antigen-negative RBC units
RBC units negative for high and low prevalence antigens
Hemoglobin S-negative RBC units
Access to the American Rare Donor Program for rare RBC components
Molecular genotype matching for variant RH
IgA-deficient plasma products

The American Red Cross supports the American Rare Donor Program by submitting donor candidates for the program.