FRIDAY, May 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The first gene-based test to help determine red blood cell compatibility between a blood donor and a recipient has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The Immucor PreciseType Human Erythrocyte Antigen (HEA) Molecular BeadChip Test can be used to identify non-ABO red blood cell types, according to the FDA news release. The test is designed to help prevent the development of antibodies to non-ABO antigens by giving patients blood that is better matched to their non-ABO antigens. Experts say that the destruction of red blood cells can be avoided if patients with known non-ABO antigens receive blood that does not contain the same non-ABO antigens.
Current blood testing sometimes fails to detect certain non-ABO antigens. The new test offers a way to detect non-ABO antigens that may otherwise be missed, according to the FDA.
The new test is made by BioArray Solutions Ltd., of Warren, N.J.
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