Can Donor Demography or Anthropometry be Used as a Screening Tool for Identifying Potential Low ABO-Titer Plasma?

Abstract

Background and Aims: Titration is a time-consuming procedure even when automated. The aim of the present study was to identify the variation in ABO titers with donor characteristics in Group O individuals. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, observational study conducted from January 2019 to March 2020. All consecutive O group donors were included. All samples were tested by conventional tube technique (CTT). Demographic and anthropometric details of the donors such as gender, age, religion, height, weight, first-time/repeat donor, and state of residence were recorded. The high-titer group included individuals with anti-A and anti-B ≥128, and the low-titer group included individuals with anti-A and anti-B <128. Results: A total of 2000 Group O whole blood donors were included. A higher percentage of donors were older than 30 years of age (55.3%), males (90.7%), Hindu (87.15%), belonging to Uttar Pradesh (70.85%), height more than 160 cm (88.85%), weight more than 65 kg (82.2%), body mass index (BMI) more than 23 (86.15%), body surface area more than 1.7 m2 (89.95%), and first-time donors (68.4%). The donor age, height, weight, BMI, and body surface area were found to have a weak correlation with anti-A and anti-B titers performed by CTT. The correlation between female and male gender was poor in high- as well as low-titer category. Conclusion: A definite variation in antibody titers is seen with a change in donor demographics and anthropometrics. However, none of the variables helps as a screening tool for identifying the North Indian healthy donors who possess a high or low titer.