Test Tube Method Research Articles

Blood Transfusion Selection in Patients with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Producing Class Antibodies

To analyze the reasons for the incompatibility of cross matching in lymphoma patients complicated by autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), and to provide compatible blood to patients for multiple blood transfusion. The test tube method was used for routine identification of ABO blood group, Rh typing and direct anti-globulin test; the patients antibody was identified by saline water method, micro column gel card; and the saline water method, Polybrene method and antiglobulin method were used for blood cross matching test of the patients. In the serum of the patient, positive autoantibodies were detected, in the elution, the Ce antibody was detected. After infusion of the corresponding antigen-negative blood, the patient's hemoglobin level was significantly improved. Only firstly accurately identifying antibodies existed in serum and elution, then selecting corresponding antigen negative blood, can ensure the safety and effectiveness of blood transfusion.

Biofilm production by uropathogens causing catheter associated urinary tract infection

Background: The microbial populations within urinary catheter frequently develop as biofilms, directly attaching to the surface of catheters. Bacteria in biofilm are protected from antimicrobial chemotherapy as well as host defence mechanisms, establishing chronic persistent infections, septicemia and death if not treated. Material and Method: The present study, includes 200 patients, catheterized for >48 hours at CIMS, Bilaspur. Urine samples were collected and inoculated in nutrient agar, blood agar and MacConkey agar plates and identification done as per standard procedure. This study was conducted to detect biofilm formation ability of uropathogens by two different methods (Tube and Congo red agar method) and compare their antibiotic sensitivity by using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Results: Out of 200 urine samples significant bacteriuria were detected in 148(74%) of samples and no growth found in 52(26%) samples and 14 samples showed growth of 2 microorganisms. A total no. of 162 microorganisms were isolated from 200 urine samples. Among these 162 isolates E. Coli was 29.62%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 11.72%, Klebsiella sp 18.51%, Citrobactor sp 7.40%, Staphylococcus aureus 3.08%, and Coagulase negative Staphylococci 11%. Among these 162 isolates, a total of 91(56.17%) isolates showed biofilm production. Percentage of biofilm formation was highest in P. aeruginosa (63.15%). Conclusion: Tube test method was found to be more reliable method. The in vitro antibiotic susceptibility pattern of biofilm producing organisms showed less sensitivity as compared to non-biofilm producing organisms.

Investigation of certain physical\u2013chemical features of oil recovery by an optimized alkali\u2013surfactant\u2013foam (ASF) system

The objective of this study is to discover a synergistic effect between foam stability in bulk and micro-emulsion phase behaviour to design a high-performance chemical system for an optimized alkaline–surfactant–foam (ASF) flooding for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The focus is on the interaction of ASF chemical agents with oil in the presence and absence of a naphthenic acid component and in situ soap generation under bulk conditions. To do so, the impact of alkalinity, salinity, interfacial tension (IFT) reduction and in situ soap generation was systematically studied by a comprehensive measurement of (1) micro-emulsion phase behaviour using a glass tube test method, (2) interfacial tension and (3) foam stability analysis. The presented alkali–surfactant (AS) formulation in this study lowered IFT between the oil and aqueous phases from nearly 30 to 10−1–10−3 mN/m. This allows the chemical formulation to create considerably low IFT foam flooding with a higher capillary number than conventional foam for displacing trapped oil from porous media. Bulk foam stability tests demonstrated that the stability of foam diminishes in the presence of oil with large volumes of in situ soap generation. At lower surface tensions (i.e. larger in situ soap generation), the capillary suction at the plateau border is smaller, thus uneven thinning and instabilities of the film might happen, which will cause acceleration of film drainage and lamellae rupture. This observation could also be interpreted by the rapid spreading of oil droplets that have a low surface tension over the lamella. The spreading oil, by augmenting the curvature radius of the bubbles, decreases the surface elasticity and surface viscosity. Furthermore, the results obtained for foam stability in presence of oil were interpreted in terms of phenomenological theories of entering/spreading/bridging coefficients and lamella number.

Influence of subinhibitory-concentration (sub-MIC) Cefetoxime on biofilm formation. SEM study of ESBL-producing Salmonella typhi

Objectives: In the present study, we have analyzed ESBL-producing S. typhi’s capability in forming a significant amount of biofilm on plastic and glass surface, and the influence of cefetoxime on biofilm development at subinhibitory (Sub-MIC) concentration. Methods: Nine strains of cefetoxime-mediated ESBL-producing S. typhi were used in the study. S. typhi formed biofilm on plastic and glass materials; it was demonstrated using micro titre plate (MTP) and standard test tube methods. Comparative study of the influence of cefetoxime on biofilm formation in its MIC (128 µg/ml) and at sub-MIC (64 µg/ml) was demonstrated by microtitre plate method. The biofilm production was observed in SEM images, statistical analysis (ANOVA) showed significant increase in cell surface and volume due to the influence of Cefetoxime. Results: Of the nine selected isolates, two S. typhi strains, namely BST 51 and BST 130, produced relatively strong biofilm in the presence of cefetoxime at sub-MIC level (64 µg/ml), comparatively weak biofilm formation at MIC level (128 µg/ml). Typical morphological changes were observed in cefetoxime-resistant strains, S. typhi BST 51 and BST 130, in comparison to cefetoxime-sensitive strain S. typhi BST 63 used as a control. We found an increase in surface and volume of a cell in response to cefetoxime and statistical data (ANOVA) proved that resistant strains were significantly different from control strains. Conclusion: The above study clearly shows that cefetoxime at sub-MIC level efficiently induces biofilm formation and promotes changes in morphology of the cell. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2017; 7(2): 67-75

Development of a high‐throughput genotoxicity assay using Umu test strains expressing human cytochrome P450s and NADPH‐P450 reductase and bacterial O‐acetyltransferase

Umu test is one of the in vitro genotoxicity test that has been used widely. It was developed as a high-throughput test system using the 96-well microplate. We have previously constructed new umu test strains for the evaluation of genotoxicity of procarcinogenic metabolic products formed by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. In this study, a highly sensitive high-throughput genotoxicity test was developed using four umu test strains (OY1002/1A1, OY1002/1B1, OY1002/1A2, and OY1002/3A4) that express human CYPs and NADPH-P450 reductase. We found that the modified umu-microplate method was more sensitive than the conventional microplate method using strain OY1002/1A2. In addition, the new microplate method was better able to detect genotoxicity than the test tube method when the strain OY1002/1A2 was used and had similar sensitivity for the remaining three strains. When the microplate method was used, OY1002/1A2 showed stronger umuC gene expression in the presence of 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, 2-aminofluorene, and 2-aminoanthracene compared to other strains. We also confirmed CYP1A2 expression in OY1002/1A2 in this condition. These results indicate that the microplate version of this test system can detect the genotoxicity of heterocyclic and aromatic amines with high sensitivity and can be used for high-throughput screening of potentially genotoxic compounds. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 58:209-216, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

First Results in Genotyping for Blood Donors of the Republic of Srpska with Serological Weak D Antigen

Introduction: The Rh system is very complex, polymorphous and the most significant for clinical practice, along with the ABO blood group system. The D antigen is the most important antigen in the Rh system and the most immunogenic one, following the ABO antigens. The D antigen, which consists of a mosaic of epitopes, is determined in all the blood donors and patients. Most people are either RhD positive or RhD negative, but there is a certain number of people who have a variation of the D antigen, which are called weak D, partial D and DEL phenotypes. Aim of the Study: The objective is to use molecular methods to determine whether blood donors in the Republic of Srpska (with whom a serological weak D antigen has been detected) really have the weak D antigen, partial D, a combination of these two variants or if their D antigen is normally present, but the used anti-D serum tests did not have the avidity needed to prove the presence of this antigen in blood donors. Patients and Methods: Blood samples were used from regular blood donors, who had been determined as persons with a weaker D antigen (based on the agglutination strength) using serological techniques, the test tube method, the microplate method and the gel method. To determine the blood groups and red blood cell/erythrocyte antigen typing, the following methods were applied: a) test tube method or agglutination in an aqueous environment, b) gel method, c) microplate method and d) molecular determination of blood groups. Results: Blood group samples were collected from April 2016 to February 2017 in the Institute for Transfusion Medicine of Republika Srpska. During this period, blood was collected from 8153 voluntary donors. It was serologically proved that 40 donors (0.49%) had the weak D antigen. All results where the weak D antigen was determined serologically were confirmed by molecular testing. 23 respondents were proved to have weak D type 3 (0.28%), while 17 had weak D type 1 (0.20%). Conclusion: The results from the first molecular testing of our population is in accordance with the results of frequency of weak D antigen in the populations of other European countries, though it did show a small advantage of weak D type 3 over weak D type 1.

Biofilm formation on polystyrene and glass surface byAeromonasspecies isolated from different sources

Biofilm forming bacteria can be the major sources of food contamination which can lead to potential foodborne disease. This study, a total of 58 Aeromonas strains isolated from food and sediment samples were investigated for their biofilm-forming ability in different mediums (TSA/TSB and BHIA/BHIB) and on different surfaces (polystyrene and glass). The biofilm development was determined by using microtiter plate and tube test method. While A. veroni biovar sobria strains produced strong biofilm (87.1–59.3%) by microtiter plate and tube test, respectively, and it is interesting to note moderate to high degree of adherence of A. hydrophila by microtiter plate and tube test (56.5–65.2%), respectively. In addition to this A. caviae strains showed only weak biofilm forming on glasses surface while there was no biofilm forming on polystyrene surface. The agar medium was more effective than broth medium in promoting biofilm production by the tested Aeromonas strains. Practical applications In food industry, biofilms are a potential source of product contamination and may lead to food spoilage and serious fouling problems in equipment and biofilm forming bacteria can lead to potential foodborne disease. Aeromonas-associated cases of gastroenteritis are generally considered food and waterborne. Many Aeromonas strains are capable of adhering and forming biofilm on certain surfaces. Therefore, it might be useful information to understand the biofilm forming capacity of Aeromonas spp. and to compare the biofilm formation of Aeromonas strains with different surfaces and mediums.

Detection of Biofilms in Candida Species in a Resource Limited Setting

The incidence of fungal infections has increased significantly. Of these, Candida species are major human fungal pathogens. Since biofilms have been considered as a virulence factor contributing to the Candida infection, a reliable method for their diagnosis is necessary. Biofilms have great significance in public health, because biofilms are associated with decreased susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. It is likely that biofilms evade anti-microbial challenges by multiple mechanisms. In this study, we screened 82 clinical isolates of Candida species by test tube method and crystal violet assay. Of these (16/82=19.5%) of the clinical Candida isolates showed biofilm production by test tube method. It was found that C. albicans had a little lower percentage of biofilm positivity (5/28 = 17.5%) as compared to non-albicans Candida species (11/54 = 20.37%). These data suggest that, biofilm formation as a potential virulence factor might have a higher significance for non-albicans Candida species than for C. albicans. Thus, more remains to be determined about biofilms formed by the non-albicans Candida species as they are now frequently encountered species in catheter associated candidiasis.

Transfusion of a patient with an auto-immune hemolytic anemia, after screening by the test tube method in a low resource setting.

A six year male was diagnosed with Right sided Pneumonia with pleural effusion and clinical presentation of autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The blood sample to the blood center showed auto-agglutination. Blood grouping and cross-matching followed, with an objective of transfusing the most compatible blood unit to this patient, in a low resource Blood storage center setting. DOI: 10.21276/apalm.2017.1013

Detection of Biofilm Forming Ability of Bacterial Isolates from Contact Lenses and their Accessories

In modern era the usage of contact lens is increased in youngsters especially in females with a high risk of ocular infections. In current research bacteriological analysis and bio-film forming ability of 22 contact lens accessories samples (Contact lenses, contact lens storage kit and contact lens solution) is studied. The isolated bacteria includes Corynebacterium spp, S. aureus, coagulase negative Staphylococcus, Bacillus spp. and Streptococcus spp. Bio-film are the main cause of bacterial infection. The bio-film forming ability of these bacterial isolates is studied by Congo red agar method and tube method. Best results were observed in Test tube method. The results initiate to continue further researches on the pathogenesis of bacteria as well as guide patients with proper contact lens procedures will hopefully decrease the incidence of ocular infections. Modern approaches for bio-film prevention and control will help in elimination of different diseases. The main objective of the research is to study the contact lens accessories isolated pathogens and their bio-film forming ability.

A comparative study showing the potency of anti-C3d and anti-immunoglobulin G in polyspecific anti-human globulin using fresh and cryopreserved red blood cells.

BACKGROUND:The antiglobulin test is used to determine red blood cells (RBCs) having surface-bound immunoglobulin G (IgG) and/or complement (C3b, C3d, C4b, and C4d) free in serum or attached to antigens on RBCs. In such circumstances, the quality of the anti-human globulin (AHG) which is used in routine cross-match/indirect agglutination test plays a vital role in blood transfusion medicine. For potency testing of polyspecific AHG, it is recommended by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centre for Biologics Evaluation and Research to use fresh O +ve RBCs within 1 hr of collection for sensitization with anti-C3d.AIM AND OBJECTIVE:Freshly collected red cells were cryopreserved and stored at a temperature of −70°C for 30 days. These cells were then sensitized with C3d and IgG after deglycerolization. Their viability was checked by potency testing using polyspecific AHG-containing anti-C3d and anti-IgG.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Anonymous left over fresh whole blood samples were collected from the Indian Red Cross Society, New Delhi, with CPDA as an anticoagulant, and the samples were treated within 1 h of collection. ABO and Rh (D) phenotyping was performed by test tube method. RBCs and plasma from the same donor were used throughout the study.RESULTS:In this comparative study, fresh RBCs (O +ve) maintained their viability after cryopreservation and were also found to be suitable for sensitization with C3d and IgG. The potency of polyclonal AHG did not differ significantly with fresh RBCs and cryopreserved RBCs for 30 days.CONCLUSION:This result suggests that the sensitization of fresh RBCs with IgG and C3d is not affected by using cryopreserved cells for 30 days.

EVALUATION OF POLYSTYRENE PETRI DISH-BASED METHOD FOR ASSESSING BIOFILM FORMATION IN VITRO BY TRICHOSPORON SPP. AND ITS COMPARISON WITH TEST-TUBE METHOD

Background: Microorganisms growing in a biofilm are associated with chronic and recurrent human infections and are highlyresistant to antimicrobial agents. There are various methods to detect biofilm production such as tube method (TM) and tissueculture plate method followed by microscopic examination by inverted microscope. Objective: This study was conducted tocompare two methods for the detection of biofilms. Methods: In this study, biofilm formation of ten isolates of Trichosporonspp. by test TM (TTM) and polystyrene petri dish method (PDM) was compared. Results: In the TTM, they were weak biofilmproducers as compared to PDM where they were strong biofilms producers. Conclusion: PDM can be safely used to find outpattern of biofilm formation by Trichosporon.

Assessment of diagnostic doses for widely used synthetic pyrethroids (Deltamethrin & Permethrin) in an endemic focus of leishmaniasis in Turkey.

BackgroundLeishmania is a group of parasitic flagellated protozoons, which are transmitted by female sand flies and produces health problems in humans and also in wild and domestic animals. So far, 25 Phlebotomus and 4 Sergentomyia species were recorded in Turkey including proven or possible vectors of Leishmania spp. As no single insecticide susceptibility test was conducted targeting the sand flies in Turkey, we aimed to determine the diagnostic dose against two commonly used synthetic pyrethroids (deltamethrin and permethrin) in a hyperendemic area for leishmaniasis.MethodsSand flies were collected from villages of Adana in 2–4 September 2013 using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps and transferred to the laboratory. The World Health Organisation tube test method was conducted using self-prepared filter papers with different concentrations. In order to determine the diagnostic dose, lethal doses (LD) were calculated by EPA Probit Analysis. Sand flies used in the experiments were dissected, mounted and identified.ResultsFor the lowest (0.025 %) and highest dose of permethrin (0.5 %), the mortality rate was recorded as 52.6 % and 100 % by the end of 24-h period and the diagnostic dose was recorded as 0.36 %. The mortality rate for lowest (0.0025 %) and highest (0.05 %) doses of deltamethrin was recorded as 54.8 % and 100 %. The diagnostic dose of deltamethrin was determined as 0.9 %.ConclusionAn insecticide susceptibility study was conducted in Turkey for the first time and effective doses were determined by calculating the LDs. According to presented results, the wild population of sand flies collected from a hyper-endemic region of Adana Province is still susceptible to deltamethrin and permethrin.

Analysis of blood group serological detecting characteristics in patients with autoimmune disease before blood transfusion

Objective To investigate the blood group serological detecting characteristics in patients with autoimmune disease before blood transfusion. Methods From January 2008 to December 2015, a total of 6 890 patients with autoimmune disease in Xijing Hospital of the Fourth Military Medical University were included in the study.They were plan to take blood transfusion. Inclusion criteria of the study: patients′ diagnoses were conformed as autoimmune disease and clinical data were complete. Blood type identification, antibody screening, antibody identification and cross matching of blood correlation detection were taken by the classical test tube method, microcolumn gel method, anti human globulin test, absorption elution tests and so on. Exclusion criteria: other anemia disease and clinical data were not complete. The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Review Board of Investigation in Human of Xijing Hospital of the Fourth Military Medical University. Results ①There were 370 cases with unconformity of positive and reverse ABO blood typing(5.4%, 370/6 890). The reason of unconformity of positive and reverse ABO blood typing were immunoglobulin(Ig)M irregular antibodies(32.4%, 120/370), cold autoantibodies(26.8%, 99/370), cold lectin(16.2%, 60/370), rouleaux agglutination(11.1%, 41/370), direct antiglobulin test positive(9.5%, 35/370), antigen and antibody weakened(4.0%, 15/370) .②There were 570 patients with irregular antibody(8.3%, 570/6 890). The main type of the irregular antibody were combined antibodies(44.0%, 251/570), homologous antibody(35.8%, 204/570), cold and warm autoantibodies(13.9%, 79/570), autoantibodies with mimicking specificity(4.4%, 25/570), drug antibody(1.9%, 11/570). ③There were 610 cases with difficulty in cross matching(8.8%, 610/6 890). The main disease of them were autoimmune hemolytic anemia(34.9%, 213/610), connective tissue disease(19.0%, 116/610), systemic lupus erythematosus(14.8%, 90/610), rheumatoid arthritis(9.0%, 55/610), lupus nephritis(5.7%, 35/610) and so on. Conclusions Autoimmune disease can easily cause difficulties in blood type identification and cross matching.Through the blood group serological detection of patients with immune disease before blood transfusion, it can find out the reasons of unconformity of positive and reverse ABO blood typing, and choose the suitable blood components, in order to ensure the safe and effective in clinical blood transfusion. Key words: ABO blood-group system; Blood transfusion; Blood grouping and crossmatching; Immunological disease

Effect of lightweight aggregate type on early-age autogenous shrinkage of concrete

The effect of lightweight aggregate (LWA) type on the early-age autogenous shrinkage of lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) was investigated based on a corrugated tube testing method. The study reveals that the early-age autogenous shrinkage includes liquid phase, skeleton-formational phase and hardening phase, and is also affected by cylinder compression strength and water absorption rate of LWA. For the summation of the early-age autogenous shrinkage of skeleton-formational phase and hardening phase after time-zero, which are concerned with the development of stress in concrete and the resulting cracking, as long as the net water cement ratio or total water cement ratio is kept the same, the LWAC with LWA of higher water absorption rate and lower cylinder compression strength shows larger early-age autogenous shrinkage than the LWAC with LWA of lower water absorption rate and higher cylinder compression strength when the LWA was prewetted.

Biofilm formation in clinical isolates of nosocomial Acinetobacter baumannii and its relationship with multidrug resistance

ObjectiveTo check biofilm formation by Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) clinical isolates and show their susceptibility to different antibiotics and investigate a possible link between establishment of biofilm and multidrug resistance. MethodsThis study was performed on clinical samples collected from patients with nosocomial infections in three hospitals of Tehran. Samples were initially screened by culture and biochemical tests for the presence of different species of Acinetobacter. Identifications were further confirmed by PCR assays. Their susceptibilities to 11 antibiotics of different classes were determined by disc diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. The ability to produce biofilm was investigated using methods: culture on Congo red agar, microtiter plate, and test tube method. ResultsFrom the overall clinical samples, 156 specimens were confirmed to contain A. baumannii. The bacteria were highly resistant to most antibiotics except polymyxin B. Of these isolates, 10.26% were able to produce biofilms as shown on Congo red agar. However, the percentage of bacteria with positive biofilm in test tube, standard microtiter plate, and modified microtiter plate assays were 48.72%, 66.66%, and 73.72%, respectively. At least 92% of the biofilm forming isolates were multidrug resistant. ConclusionsSince most of the multidrug resistant strains produce biofilm, it seems necessary to provide continuous monitoring and determination of antibiotic susceptibility of clinical A. baumannii. This would help to select the most appropriate antibiotic for treatment.

Comparative Study of ABO and RH Blood Grouping by Slide, Test Tube and Gel Card Methods

A Comparative study was carried out on 500 blood donors attending blood bank of a tertiary health care hospital in western UP over a period of 6 months from January 2016 to June 2016. Out of the 500 subjects; only 100 were tested using Gel card method while Slide and Tube methods were used for all cases. Among the subjects, 487 (97.4%) were males and 13 (2.6%) females within the age range of 18–60 years. 477 (95.4%) of the donors were found to be Rh positive while 23 (4.6%) were Rh negative. In comparison of the three methods, overall agreement between methods was good to excellent, with identical results obtained in 97 of 100 (97%) samples tested with all 3 methods. The little difference in 3 of 100 (3%) samples, which was due to the weak reaction between antigen-antibody in the 3 samples, was resolved with the aid of microscope which made the result 100% identical. Results acquired with Gel Card Methods were considered the simplest to interpret and could readily be archived by making a photocopy, which was not possible with the other methods. This study shows that Gel Card Method is better than Slide and Conventional Spin Tube Methods because of its simplicity, stability of results, reproducibility, absence of wash phase with comparable sensitivity and specificity.

Determination of antibiotic EC50 using a zero-flow microfluidic chip based growth phenotype assay.

Current existing assay systems for evaluating antimicrobial activity suffer from several limitations including excess reagent consumption and inaccurate concentration gradient preparation. Recently, microfluidic systems have been developed to provide miniaturized platforms for antimicrobial susceptibility assays. However, some of current microfluidic based assays require continuous flows of reagents or elaborate preparation steps during concentration preparation. In this study, we introduce a novel microfluidic chip based growth phenotype assay that automatically generates a logarithmic concentration gradient and allows observing the growth of pathogenic bacteria under different concentrations of antibiotics in nanoliter batch culture reactors. We chose pathogen bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model strain and evaluated the inhibitory effects of gentamicin and ciprofloxacin. We determined the EC50 values and confirmed the validity of the present system by comparing the EC50 values obtained through conventional test tube method. We demonstrated that the EC50 values acquired from present assay are comparable to those obtained from conventional test tube cultures. The potential application of present assay system for investigating combinatorial effects of antibiotics on multidrug resistant pathogenic bacteria is discussed and it can be further used for systematic evaluation of antifungal or antiviral agents.

Bacteriological Quality in Some Hand-Dug well Water as Source of Drinking Water in Ban Village, Plateau State, Nigeria

Access to potable water and healthy environment has been a concern worldwide. Developing nation like Nigeria has been facing critical challenge in accessing safe drinking water. Therefore, the people still depend on unsafe water sources such as rivers, streams and hand dug wells. This study examined the bacteriological quality of 16 drinking dug well water in four selected communities (Bantin, Tom, Bator and Rek) in Ban village of Plateau state, Nigeria. Four samples from each of the wells were collected from the communities. Biological contaminations were investigated using standard method (Multiple test tube method). The biological contamination rates were higher (110coliforms/100 mL) in Tom and 108 coliforms/100 mL in Bantin followed by 81.27 coliforms/100 mL in Banton and Rek with 67.78 coliforms/100 mL being the least (Tom>Batin>Bator>Rek), all indicated gross pollution. However, the only well that was found to be fit for human consumption was Bator B. The results suggested that the well water contamination in these areas is largely due to faecal contamination. It is recommended that hand-dug well water be treated prior to consumption in order to curtail infection and distance between latrine and dug well should not be less than 30 m.

Comparative evaluation of gel column agglutination and erythrocyte magnetized technology for red blood cell alloantibody titration

Abstract Antibody titration is traditionally performed using a conventional test tube (CTT) method, which is subjected to interlaboratory variations because of a lack of standardization and reproducibility. The aim of this study is to compare newer methods such as gel column technology (GCT) and erythrocyte magnetized technology (EMT) for antibody titration in terms of accuracy and precision. Patient serum samples that contained immunoglobulin G (IgG) red blood cell (RBC) alloantibodies of a single specificity for Rh or K antigens were identified during routine transfusion service testing and stored. Titration and scoring were performed separately by different laboratory personnel on CTT, GCT, and EMT. Testing was performed a total of three times on each sample. Results were analyzed for accuracy and precision. A total of 50 samples were tested. Only 20 percent of samples tested with GCT showed titers identical to CTT, whereas 48 percent of samples tested with EMT showed titers identical to CTT. Overall, the mean of the titer difference from CTT was higher using GCT (+0.31) compared with that using EMT (+0.13). Precision shown by CTT was 30 percent, EMT was 76 percent, and GCT was 92 percent on repeat testing. GCT showed higher titer values in comparison with CTT but was found to be the most precise. EMT titers were comparable to CTT, and its precision was intermediate. Further studies to validate this method are required. Immunohematology 2015;31:1–6.