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Thimerosal‐dependent agglutination complicating the serologic evaluation for unexpected antibodies
Author(s) -
Shulman IA,
Simpson RB,
Farmer CF,
Lam HT
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1046/j.1537-2995.1984.24484275584.x
Subject(s) - thimerosal , agglutination (biology) , serology , direct agglutination test , antibody , immunology , medicine , cold agglutinin , preservative , chemistry , food science , dermatology
Thimerosal (merthiolate) is a preservative present in several low‐ionic‐ strength blood bank reagents. Thimerosal‐dependent panagglutinins were found in the serum of a hospitalized patient during serologic testing for unexpected red cell antibodies. The agglutinins behaved like a mixture of IgG and IgM and reacted with all red cells tested. Once the true nature of the serum panagglutinins was determined, blood bank reagents free of thimerosol were used, and no further serologic problems were encountered. Agglutination of this type should be considered whenever sera appear to contain panagglutinins and thimerosal is present in the test system.