Antibody screen

Definition

An antibody screen is a laboratory test used to detect antibodies in a patient's blood. It is commonly performed to identify unexpected antibodies that might cause reactions during blood transfusions or pregnancies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Antibody screens are critical in preventing hemolytic transfusion reactions.
2. The test typically involves mixing the patient's serum with reagent red cells to observe agglutination.
3. A positive antibody screen indicates the presence of alloantibodies or autoantibodies.
4. Indirect antiglobulin testing (IAT) is often used in antibody screens to detect IgG antibodies.
5. Antibody screens are a standard part of prenatal care and pre-transfusion testing.

Review Questions

• What is the primary purpose of an antibody screen?
• How does an antibody screen help in the context of blood transfusions?
• What type of antibodies can be detected using an indirect antiglobulin test?

Related terms

Agglutination: The clumping of particles, often used in immunological assays to indicate antigen-antibody interactions.

Alloantibodies: Antibodies produced against antigens from individuals of the same species.

Indirect Antiglobulin Test (IAT): A laboratory procedure used to detect IgG antibodies in a patient's serum by causing agglutination.