The Hemo ID® DQS Panel: Streamlining Blood Group Identification for Donors

The Hemo ID® Donor Quick Screen (DQS) Panel is a innovation in the field of blood donation and transfusion medicine. Developed for the MassARRAY® System, this panel is designed to simplify and speed up the identification of blood group genotypes and predicted phenotypes, addressing a critical need in international blood donor programs.

The Challenge in Blood Donor Programs

Every year, blood donor programs worldwide face the loss of rare donors due to factors like illness, aging, or other circumstances. This loss presents a challenge in maintaining a diverse and sufficient blood supply, especially for patients requiring rare blood types. The Hemo ID DQS Panel emerges as a solution to this problem, improving the efficiency of screening new donors and maintaining a robust donor pool.

Key Features of the Hemo ID® DQS Panel

1. Extensive Analysis: The panel enables DNA-based molecular identification of blood group genotypes and predicted phenotypes in erythrocytes.
2. Efficient Design: It contains 37 assays in 2 multiplexed wells, allowing for streamlined testing.
3. Wide Coverage: The panel examins 42 antigens across 12 blood group systems, plus three beta globin markers, ensuring a thorough screening process.

How the Hemo ID® DQS Panel Works

The process involves amplifying genomic DNA samples using provided PCR primers, PCR enzyme, and dNTPs. After amplification, residual dNTPs are dephosphorylated with SAP. The next steps include single nucleotide primer extension and termination reactions. The extension products are then transferred to a SpectroCHIP® Array and analyzed using the MassARRAY mass spectrometer. The data analysis software finalizes genotype assignments and predicts phenotypes.

Proven Performance

The Hemo ID® DQS Panel has demonstrated exceptional performance, with genotype and predicted phenotype call rates of over 99% observed at two independent test sites (n=768). Moreover, there was more than 99% agreement between the predicted phenotype calls generated by the Hemo ID® DQS Panel and those derived from using the Immucor PreciseType™ HEA Test or serology (n=88), highlighting its accuracy and reliability.

Conclusion

The Hemo ID® DQS Panel represents a important Progress in blood donor screening. Its ability to efficiently and accurately identify a wide range of blood group genotypes and phenotypes makes it an invaluable tool in global blood donation efforts. By streamlining the identification process for new donors and effectively testing thousands of samples, the Hemo ID® DQS Panel is set to play a big role in enhancing the diversity and availability of blood for transfusion, ultimately saving lives.