AM23-ST-08-O: Better Together: Serology and Genomics to Resolve Red Blood Cell and Platelet Antibody Cases (Enduring)

Detection and identification of antibodies is critical to providing the safest and most effective red blood cell and platelet transfusions. Additionally, the resolution of typing discrepancies can be crucial to understanding alloimmunization risk in patients and is important for donors when selecting antigen negative units for transfusion. While serologic testing can identify both antibodies in plasma and antigens on red cells and platelets, in recent years, genomic testing has become an effective tool to help resolve complex serologic cases. Just as genomic testing can provide important information, serology remains vital, especially for determining alloimmunization risk in the case of novel alleles. For blood bankers and clinicians treating patients with antibodies, it is imperative to understand how serology and molecular testing complement each other to resolve the most challenging cases. In this program, we will present red cell and platelet cases, demonstrating the effective use of serologic and genomic testing.