AN EVALUATION OF A SOLID-PHASE RED-CELL ADHERENCE TEST FOR DETECTING PLATELET-ASSOCIATED IGG IN IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIA

A solid phase red cell adherence (SPRCA) test, designed for platelet cross-match testing, was evaluated to determine its efficacy in detecting platelet-associated IgG (PAIgG) in immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). This new method was compared to the platelet suspension immunofluorescence (PSIF) test. Fifty-three patient samples were tested by both methods, including 17 for whom a clinical diagnosis of ITP had been made. The SPRCA method showed 65% sensitivity, whereas the PSIF method showed 53% sensitivity. The specificity for both was 100%. The SPRCA compared favorably to the PSIF test in sensitivity and cost effectiveness. The SPRCA test is rapid, easy to perform, and suitable for detecting PAIgG in ITP.