In this ABO typing scenario, at what temperature should serum typing be performed to resolve discrepancies?

In this ABO typing scenario, at what temperature should serum typing be performed to resolve discrepancies?

• A. Room temperature
• B. 37C
• C. 4C
• D. 25C

Answer: (B)

Discrepancies in ABO typing often come from cold-reactive antibodies in the serum that can cause unwanted agglutination when tests are done at lower temperatures. Performing serum (reverse) typing at 37°C minimizes the activity of these cold antibodies, allowing the true antibody–antigen interactions to be observed. At temperatures like room temperature or 4°C, cold agglutinins are more active and can produce misleading reactions, making it harder to resolve the discrepancy. Conducting serum typing at 37°C helps clarify whether the serum antibodies align with the forward typing, leading to a consistent ABO designation.

Discrepancies in ABO typing often come from cold-reactive antibodies in the serum that can cause unwanted agglutination when tests are done at lower temperatures. Performing serum (reverse) typing at 37°C minimizes the activity of these cold antibodies, allowing the true antibody–antigen interactions to be observed. At temperatures like room temperature or 4°C, cold agglutinins are more active and can produce misleading reactions, making it harder to resolve the discrepancy. Conducting serum typing at 37°C helps clarify whether the serum antibodies align with the forward typing, leading to a consistent ABO designation.