Optimized FC testing methods that are comparable in accuracy to standard CAT and tube methods are described. When used with filter plates, this methodology should allow rapid and cost-effective immunohematology testing of both patient and donor samples in an automated workstation format. The same workstation should support automation of other pretransfusion assays that can be analyzed by FC.

As RBC antibody screens are done every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on this BMT service and as RBC antibody formation is low in these patients, screening for unexpected antibodies might be possible on a more infrequent basis. Also, the rate of HLA alloimmunization in this population receiving filtered blood components is low.

Grifols' Erytra analyzer showed reliable efficacy compared with equivalent FDA-licensed reagents and FDA-cleared instruments.

An improved method for FC immunohematology testing has been described. This assay was comparable in accuracy to standard CAT techniques, but had better sensitivity for detecting weak antibodies and was superior in detecting mixed-field reactions (p < 0.005). The FC method demonstrated excellent reproducibility. The compatibility of this assay with the PCA-96 capillary cytometer with plate-handling capabilities should simplify development of a completely automated platform.

Cell-associated HHV-8 appeared to be effectively removed by leukoreduction filtration. Cell-free HHV-8 was present in 42% of subjects as 1% to 20% of the total virus which was not removed by filtration.