46-P

Abstract

HLA antibody testing is commonly performed using a panel of color-coded beads coated with purified Human Leukocyte Antigens in various configurations including mixed, phenotype, or single antigen. Any HLA antibodies present in the test serum bind to the antigens and are labeled with R-Phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated Goat anti-human IgG. Serum samples which demonstrate a high degree of non-specific binding may be treated with Adsorb Out™ (AD) beads– One Lambda, Inc. AD beads consist of microparticles without any specific antigen coating. The AD beads remove reactivity to latex beads from test sera with high levels of non-specific binding. Samples can then be re-tested and the non-specific binding should no longer interfere with result interpretation. Non-specific binding is commonly observed in all samples obtained from a subset of patients. Our laboratory has implemented a process to identify and flag these patients for proactive AD treatment. We present an overview of our data and estimated savings. Samples are tested with LABScreen™ Single Antigen Class I Combi Beads and Single Antigen Class II Beads – One Lambda, Inc. Patients are identified as requiring AD in our lab after two separate sera require repeat testing. The patient is flagged in our computer system for pre-treatment with AD beads before clinical testing is completed. In 2012 our lab tested a total of 6100 samples for Class I and Class II Single Antigen bead testing. Of these samples, 10% required AD Treatment. [ Table 1 ] Pre-treating samples has saved 4% in reagent cost, technologist time, and decreased our turn around time of samples by one day as the samples do not require repeat testing. We will continue to proactively treat samples with Adsorb Out™ to decrease cost and turn around time for those patient samples that are affected by non-specific binding.