Transfusion Medicine Basics (Video Lecture 1)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Transfusion Medicine Basics notes.

Monoclonal antibody

Antibodies produced toward a single epitope, produced by a single cell lineage; made by hybridoma technology.

Polyclonal antibody

Antibodies produced toward a single antigen source, produced by different cell lineages.

Hybridoma

Fusion of an antibody-producing B cell with a myeloma cell to create a cell line that produces a single type of antibody.

Antigen

A substance that can be recognized by an antibody or receptor and can elicit an immune response.

Antibody

Immunoglobulin produced in response to an antigen; binds specifically to its antigen.

Agglutination

Clumping of red blood cells due to cross-linking by antibodies binding to surface antigens.

Forward grouping

Blood typing method that detects A and B antigens on patient’s red blood cells.

A1 cells

Red blood cell reagent type A1 used in reverse grouping to detect anti-A1 antibodies.

A2 cells

Red blood cell reagent type A2 used in reverse grouping to detect anti-A2 antibodies.

B cells (RBC reagent – type B)

Red blood cell reagent used in reverse grouping to detect anti-B antibodies.

Check cells

Group O cells coated with anti-D used as a control to verify AHG is functioning.

Screen cells

Group O red blood cells with varied antigen profiles used to detect unexpected antibodies.

Anti-human globulin (AHG) – polyspecific

Antisera with antibodies against IgG and C3d; used in IAT, DAT, and crossmatches.

AHG – monospecific

Antisera with antibodies against a single specificity (either IgG or C3d); used in IAT/DAT.

0.9% saline

Saline solution used to prepare red blood cell suspensions and maintain osmotic balance.

PEG (Polyethylene glycol)

Potentiator added to enhance antigen–antibody reactions and reduce test times.

LISS (Low Ionic Strength Solutions)

Potentiator that enhances reactions by lowering ionic strength and speeding agglutination.

Immediate Spin

Phase where red cells and antibodies react with no incubation; typically detects IgM antibodies.

37°C incubation

Incubation phase at body temperature to enhance IgG antibody reactions.

AHG phase

Phase where antihuman globulin bridges IgG-coated red cells to form lattice and cause agglutination.

IAT (Indirect Antiglobulin Test)

Test where red cells and antibodies react in vitro with incubation and AHG to detect IgG antibodies.

DAT (Direct Antiglobulin Test)

Test that detects antibodies or complement bound to red cells in vivo; typically a single phase.

Zeta potential

Electrical repulsion between red cells that can hinder agglutination; centrifugation helps overcome it.

Prozone

Condition where excess antibodies prevent lattice formation, leading to false negatives.

Postzone

Condition where excess cells prevent lattice formation, leading to false negatives.

EDTA

Chelating anticoagulant that binds calcium and magnesium to preserve samples and prevent in vitro sensitization.

Antibody screen

Test to detect the presence of unexpected antibodies; a positive result prompts antibody identification.

Bombay phenotype

Phenotype with no H antigen expression; can form anti-H as well as anti-A and anti-B; anti-H is clinically significant.