Antistofscreening

Antistofscreening, also known as antibody screening, is a laboratory process used to detect and characterize antibodies within a biological sample. It is applied in clinical diagnostics, transfusion medicine, organ transplantation, and research to determine immune status, prior exposures, or the presence of alloantibodies and autoantibodies. The approach centers on antigen–antibody interactions, using panels of antigens or cells to reveal reactivity.

Common methods for antibody screening include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), indirect immunofluorescence assays, Western blot, rapid diagnostic tests, bead-based multiplex assays, and flow cytometry. The choice of method depends on the clinical question, required sensitivity, throughput, and specimen type. Pre-analytical handling, including proper collection, storage, and processing of samples, is essential for reliable results. Results are typically reported as positive or negative, with additional information such as titer or specificity when available.

Applications of antistofscreening span several domains. In transfusion medicine, screening detects alloantibodies in donor or recipient plasma to reduce the risk of transfusion reactions. In organ transplantation, it helps assess antibodies that may target donor antigens, informing compatibility. Infectious disease screening uses antibody tests to indicate prior exposure or immune status for pathogens such as viruses. Autoimmune screening searches for autoantibodies that can aid in diagnosing autoimmune diseases, sometimes in combination with other clinical tests. Monitoring vaccine responses and assessing immune competence are other common uses.

Quality control, result interpretation, and clinical context are critical. Positive results typically require confirmatory or reflex testing to define exact specificity, while false positives and negatives can occur due to cross-reactivity or low antibody levels. Ethical considerations include patient consent and data confidentiality.