BACKGROUND: The polyethylene glycol indirect antiglobulin test for detection of red cell antibodies was compared with a proven, highly sensitive test system using papain. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Parallel, prospective testing of 1508 samples with polyethylene glycol and with albumin and papain evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of polyethylene glycol. Retrospective analysis of antibody specificities was performed for the 2 years before and the 2 years after the institution of polyethylene glycol testing. RESULTS: Of 1508 prospective screens, 53 (3.5%) had discordant results: 5 were positive only in polyethylene glycol and 48 were positive only in albumin and papain. Upon antibody identification, the 5 samples that were positive only in polyethylene glycol showed 1 anti-D, 2 warm autoantibodies, and 2 false-positive results. The 48 samples that were positive only in albumin and papain showed 1 each of the following: anti-Le(b); anti-P1; anti-S; high-titer, low-avidity antibody; and cold autoantibody; there were 43 false-positive results. False-positive results totaled 12 (0.8%) with polyethylene glycol and 53 (3.5%) with albumin and papain. The retrospective analysis of antibody specificity with polyethylene glycol showed a significant increase in the detection of Fy(a) and/or Fy(b) (p < 0.0002) and Jk(b) (p < 0.0002) antibodies and a decrease in the detection of Le(a) and/or Le(b) antibodies (p < 0.0002). CONCLUSION: Polyethylene glycol retained the high sensitivity of the albumin and papain, while significantly lowering the number of false-positive results and decreasing the detection of antibodies of doubtful clinical significance.
BACKGROUND: The polyethylene glycol indirect antiglobulin test for detection of red cell antibodies was compared with a proven, highly sensitive test system using papain. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Parallel, prospective testing of 1508 samples with polyethylene glycol and with albumin and papain evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of polyethylene glycol. Retrospective analysis of antibody specificities was performed for the 2 years before and the 2 years after the institution of polyethylene glycol testing. RESULTS: Of 1508 prospective screens, 53 (3.5%) had discordant results: 5 were positive only in polyethylene glycol and 48 were positive only in albumin and papain. Upon antibody identification, the 5 samples that were positive only in polyethylene glycol showed 1 anti-D, 2 warm autoantibodies, and 2 false-positive results. The 48 samples that were positive only in albumin and papain showed 1 each of the following: anti-Le(b); anti-P1; anti-S; high-titer, low-avidity antibody; and cold autoantibody; there were 43 false-positive results. False-positive results totaled 12 (0.8%) with polyethylene glycol and 53 (3.5%) with albumin and papain. The retrospective analysis of antibody specificity with polyethylene glycol showed a significant increase in the detection of Fy(a) and/or Fy(b) (p < 0.0002) and Jk(b) (p < 0.0002) antibodies and a decrease in the detection of Le(a) and/or Le(b) antibodies (p < 0.0002). CONCLUSION:Polyethylene glycol retained the high sensitivity of the albumin and papain, while significantly lowering the number of false-positive results and decreasing the detection of antibodies of doubtful clinical significance.