Rule-out is a process by which antibodies are identified as being unlikely in a given sample because of the absence of an expected antigen-antibody reaction. In other words, the absence of a reaction is noted with a cell that is positive for the corresponding antigen.
Although rule-out procedures may vary somewhat from institution to institution, the following general principles apply:
Non-reactive cells are selected for rule-out. To be classified as non-reactive, a cell must NOT have reacted at any phase of testing in a given panel or screen.
Using the logic that if the rule-out cell is positive for a given antigen, it should have reacted with the corresponding antibody, you can rule-out antibodies that correspond to antigen positive cells.
To increase the probability that rule-out will not mistakenly eliminate a weakly-reacting antibody that exhibits dosage*, use only cells that are homozygous for the corresponding antigen for those systems that generally show dosage. Generally these include: C, c, E, e, Fya, Fyb, Jka, Jkb, M, N, S, and s.
In this case, it is only possible to rule out on screening cell 2 since it demonstrates a negative reaction with the patient serum. Anti-C cannot be ruled out since the C antigen is heterozygous on screening cell 2 with c. Anti-Fya cannot be ruled out since this antigen is not present on screening cell 2. Anti-M and anti-Jka can be ruled out since the antigens are homozyous while demonstrating a negative reaction on screening cell 2.
Rule-out, while very useful, can lead to error. Ruling out an antibody should be combined with other supporting data to increase confidence in the solution; the more data collected, the higher the probability that the final solution is correct.
*Dosage means that there are two "doses" of the same antigen present on the red cells . Antibodies that exhibit dosage react more strongly with homozygous cells (e.g., Jka Jka) than with heterozygous cells (e.g., Jka Jkb) .
Based on the phenotype of the RBC screening cells, and patient results shown on the right, which of the following antibodies CANNOT be ruled out?
Which of the following is NOT part of the magnification system of the microscope?
If Kappa or Lambda is predominant and CD5 is co-expressed with CD19 (CD19/CD5 dual positive lymphocyte population), and CD23 is expressed, chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a probable diagnosis. CD19 is normally found on normal B cell populations and CD5 is normally found on mature T cell populations. However, CD5 is present on B cells in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia or Mantle Cell Lymphoma, both abnormal B cell malignant processes.
CD23 expression is not consistent with Mantel cells as shown on the decision tree on the right.
A monoclonal B-cell population (Kappa or Lambda predominant) with expression of CD19, CD20, CD23, and co-expression of CD5 is consistent with which of the following?
The division of Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety and efficacy of foods, drugs, biological products, medical devices, and cosmetics is: