Monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) anti-D IgG and IgM are being developed in order to replace polyclonal antibodies. However, there are few studies about the selection of these MoAb to routinely detect weak D and partial D antigens. A total of 56 weak D blood samples were analyzed with anti-D IgG and IgM MoAb in order to evaluate their reactivity. Molecular analyses were also performed to characterize the weak D types and the presence of partial D. Antigen densities were determined by flow cytometry. Weak D type 1, 3 and 4 samples with high antigen density were reactive with the MoAb anti-D IgM at room temperature while weak D type 2 and the partial D samples with low antigen density were detected with MoAb anti-D IgG using the indirect antiglobulin test. Our results show that anti-D IgM does not detect partial D samples reactive as weak D and thus can be used for routine testing of patients. As the anti-D IgG detected all the weak D and partial D with low antigen density, it should be used in the routine testing of donors.
Anti-D reagents; weak D; partial D; RhD; RHD
