The Need for Education in Molecular Immunohematology: A Survey of Specialists in Blood Banking.

Background: Within transfusion medicine, the education of molecular technologies lacks standardization.

Objective: To address this problem, we surveyed specialist in blood bank technology (SBBT) programs, immunohematology reference laboratories, and SBBT graduates to define its current state.

Methods: An anonymous online survey (SurveyMonkey) was emailed to the 15 American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) SBBT programs, 59 AABB IRLs, and 82 SBBT graduates.

Noninvasive buccal swab antigen sample and molecular testing provides extended antigen typing for patients with hemoglobinopathies.

Objective: To demonstrate the feasibility of performing a noninvasive, molecular-based red blood cell (RBC) antigen test on infants and very young children with sickle cell disease as part of a statewide newborn screening follow-up program.

Study Design: A prospective pilot project was conducted using a noninvasive buccal swab and test kit to perform DNA-based, extended RBC phenotyping in 92 children participating in a newborn hemoglobinopathy screening follow-up program. Reported data include the extended panel of antigens detected by molecular analysis compared with unaffected population estimates.

Two case studies and a review of paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria.

Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria (PCH) is an acquired hemolytic anemia caused by immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies that sensitize red blood cells (RBCs) at cold temperatures by fixing complement to the RBCs causing intravascular hemolysis on rewarming. PCH usually appears in young children as recurrent high fevers, chills, and passage of red-brown urine. The diagnostic test for PCH is the Donath-Landsteiner test, an in vitro assay for biphasic hemolysis.