Molecular immunohematology at Canadian Blood Services

Introduction RBC Blood Group Genotyping Testing Platforms Indications for Genotyping Genotype/Phenotype Discordant Results Illustrative Cases Sample Requisition Forms Specimen Shipping Requirements References Introduction Molecular immunohematology refers to the detection of the molecular genetic basis of an antigen, rather than the antigen alone. [...] Use of molecular testing in clinical laboratories requires knowledge of the molecular basis of blood group antigens and the availability of suitable genotyping methods that can be used in our testing environment. [...] However, depending on the blood system, the relationship between the RBC antigen gene and the corresponding antigen may be fairly complicated. [...] Page 1 of 15 expression of the FYB gene in red cells but not in other tissues (GATA-1 mutation), and SNPs in exon 2 b 4 that affect the translation and stability of the Fy. [...] This article focuses on the use of molecular genotyping at the Canadian Blood Services NIRL (determination non- RHD) and at the Canadian Blood Services’ Diagnostic Services Laboratory in Edmonton (determination TM RHD).