ESTIMATION OF CELL SURVIVAL AFTER TRANSFUSION BY SELECTIVE AGGLUTINATION

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Abstract
In using the Ashby method of selective agglutination for estimating the number of the donor''s erythrocytes in the recipient''s circulation after transfusion, it is important to use potent agglutinating serum. Since it is impossible to achieve complete agglutination of cells even with strong antiserum it is necessary, prior to transfusion, to estimate the recipient''s unagglutinable cell count (commonly called "free-cell count"), and in all tests subsequently, to deduct this number from the total number of un-agglutinated cells. The object of the study was to determine the influence of the potency of the antiserum and the effect of centrifugation and agitation on the rate and completeness of agglutination. With potent antiserum it was found that the free-cell count remains practically constant. With serum of low titre, the count is subject to wide variation, hence large errors. The agglutinating procedure used by the authors involves centrifuging the cells and antiserum for 2 mins. at 1500 r.p.tn., followed by rapid agitation for 30 mins. In the transfusion and cell survival expts., the plasma and blood vols. of the recipients were detd. by means of Evans'' Blue dye (T-1824), and the quantity of blood administered was detd. by weighing the flask before and after transfusion. The results of this study indicate that, in blood preserved under optimal conditions, approx. 1% of the erythrocytes become non-viable each day of storage. After transfusion of preserved blood the non-viable cells are removed from the circulation within a few hrs. The viable cells behave in a normal manner, that is, they are removed at about 1%/day.