A rapid method for harvesting autologous red cells from patients with hemoglobin S disease.

Red cells from patients with sickle cell disease (HbSS and HbSC) are more resistant to lysis in hypotonic NaCl solutions than normal (HbAA) red cells. Taking advantage of this inherent resistance to osmotic stress, patient red cells (HbSS or HbSC) were rapidly isolated from donor red cells (HbAA or HbAS) by washing with hypotonic (0.3%) NaCl. The hypotonic method of washing provides a previously unavailable means for obtaining autologous HbSS or HbSC red cells from samples containing transfused donor red cells. Once isolated, these red cells can be used for phenotyping, autoadsorption, or evaluation of positive direct antiglobulin tests.