ABO blood group discrepancies in blood donor and patient samples at a tertiary care oncology centre: analysis and serological resolution

Abstract

Introduction: In serological testing, determination of ABO grouping requires both antigen typing for A and B antigens and screening of serum or plasma for A and B antibodies. Lack of corroboration between the results of the cell and serum groupings identifies a discrepancy. Analysis of ABO blood group discrepancies was performed to determine the incidence of these discrepancies among healthy blood donors and oncology patients. Materials and methods: ABO discrepancies found during testing of blood samples from blood donors and patients in an oncology centre in the period from January 2015 to December 2018 were analysed. ABO blood grouping was performed using the column agglutination test. Detailed serological workups were carried out to resolve discrepancies. Results: During the study period, a comprehensive analysis was conducted on a large dataset comprising 76,604 blood donor samples and 134,964 patient samples. Of these samples, 117 ABO discrepancies were identified with 13 occurring in blood donor samples and 104 in patient samples. The results demonstrated discrepancies caused by weakened/missing antibodies, weakened/missing antigens, panagglutination and miscellaneous factors in the blood donor samples, with percentages of 0%, 38%, 8%, and 31%, respectively. In patient samples, the percentages were 24%, 27%, 26%, and 15%, respectively. Conclusion: Weakened/missing antigen discrepancies were the prevalent type in both blood donor and patient samples. For accurate blood group reporting and management of transfusion needs of patients, a complete serological workup is vital to resolve any blood group discrepancies.

Keywords

• ABO discrepancies
• Serological workup
• Oncology patients