What tests are performed in blood banking?
A certain set of standard tests are performed in the laboratory once blood is donated, including, but not limited to, the following: • typing: ABO group (blood type) • Rh typing (positive or negative antigen) • screening for any unexpected red blood cell antibodies that may cause problems in the recipient • screening for current or past infections including the following: • hepatitis viruses B and C • human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) • human T-lymphotrophic viruses (HTLV) I and II • syphilis • West Nile virus • Irradiation to blood cells is performed to disable any T-lymphocytes present in the donated blood. (T-lymphocytes can cause a reaction when transfused, but can also cause what is called “graft-versus-host” problems with repeated exposure to foreign cells.) • “Leukocyte reduced blood” has been filtered to remove the white blood cells which contain antibodies that can cause fevers in the recipient of the transfusion. (These antibodies, with repeated transfusions, may also increa
