“Quick Lessons” in Immunohematology

Quick Lessons in Immunohematology have been created to provide information on a variety of immunohematology topics in an easy-to-digest format.  Whether you are learning the fundamentals of blood banking, or would like a refresher on a specific subject, feel free to browse and download our current selection of Quick Lessons.  

Course Objectives:

  • Discuss alloimmunization rates for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) patients compared to other groups of patients. 
  • Describe the benefits and challenges of antigen-matching protocols for SCD patients.
  • Explain how a SCD patient might develop alloantibodies to an antigen present on his/her cells. 
Course Objectives:
  • Describe characteristic serologic reactivity of an antibody to a high prevalence antigen.
  • Explain how testing phenotype-matched RBCs differentiates multiple common antibodies from an antibody to a high prevalence antigen.
  • Discuss how the following factors provide clues in the identification of an antibody to a high prevalence antigen: patient ethnicity, testing treated reagent RBCs, antigen typing the patient’s cells, testing rare cells.
Course Objectives:
  • Describe the interference of anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody in blood bank tests.
  • List ways to mitigate the serologic interference of anti-CD38.
  • Discuss transfusion strategies for patients receiving anti-CD38 therapy. 
Course Objectives:
  • Discuss Rh haplotypes, using both Fisher-Race and Weiner nomenclature, and explain how to determine f status using other Rh typings.
  • Compare and contrast weak D and partial D. 
  • List unique circumstances in which an antibody might have Rh specificity.
Couse Objectives:
  • Describe tube testing, gel testing and solid phase testing in the blood bank.
  • Compare and contrast the three methodologies.
  • List advantages and disadvantages of each methodology.

Course Objectives:

  • List several reasons why an individual might have a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT).
  • Explain the process of preparing an acid eluate.
  • Discuss how the reactivity of an eluate can explain the cause of a positive DAT. 

Course Objectives:

  • Name three types of antigens expressed on the surface of platelets.
  • Discuss immune platelet refractoriness, including antibodies that cause refractoriness and transfusion options.
  • Describe two conditions caused by antibodies to human platelet antigens (HPA).

Course Objectives:

  • Discuss the most common reasons titration is used in the blood bank.
  • Discuss the reactivity known as HTLA.
  • Interpret titer results.