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Aim of the Study: Determination of blood group antigens from data obtained by using molecular methods (genotyping) has become an indispensable tool in the specialized immunohematology laboratories. The French National Reference Centre for Blood group typing (CNRGS) routinely performs genotyping of the FY, JK and MNS system (common genotyping), providing a phenotype deduced from genotyping data for FY1, FY2, JK1, JK2, MNS3 and MNS4 antigens., Patients and Methods: We performed a study to evaluate the common genotyping prescriptions referred to the CNRGS over the last three years., Results: Between February 2006 and February 2009, the CNRGS performed 2392 genotyping, including 981 common genotyping. Analysis of 172 common genotyping performed in 2008 showed that 63.8% of the prescriptions expressed a genotyping demand. Of the latter, 42.7% were genotyping prescriptions only, whereas 57.2% were prescriptions of genotyping associated with alloantibody identification. All prescriptions refer to blood group genotyping indications issued from guidelines, with no incorrect prescription, that are patients transfused within four months before blood sampling in 63.6% of cases or a positive direct antiglobulin test in 24.5% of cases. Lastly, 36% of the blood samples referred to the CNRGS had no genotyping prescription. Yet, common genotyping was performed by the CNRGS to get complete immunohematology data for antibody identification., Conclusion: Usefulness of blood group genotyping in specialized immunohematology laboratories is obvious. However, the strategy for implementation of molecular methods remains to be defined. Use of high-throughput DNA analysis should change our way of working.

The French reference laboratory for rare blood groups (CNRGS) is working for all participants of the transfusion chain: from the donors to the recipients; from the French Establishment for Blood to medical laboratories; from hospital to the haemovigilance network; from governmental agencies to European structures. This laboratory is in charge of: (1) studies of complex problems of immunohaematology; (2) studies of rare blood group phenotypes; (3) reagents quality controls; (4) production of biological standards; (5) specific specimen banks; (6) molecular studies of blood group antigens and antibodies involved; (8) panels of reference cells or DNA; (9) international exchanges.

Until the 1980s blood group reagents had been produced from human or animal plasmas. Since then, the main change has been the increase of the use of monoclonal antibodies in laboratory reagents. Today, they are the basis of most reagents for blood group typing. They include murine (hybridomas) and human (Epstein-Barr virus immortalized lymphocytes and phage display) antibodies. The use of these antibodies leads to standardized methods of production and a better definition of the specificity through international works. The main drawback is the lack of antibodies for some blood group antigens. However, in the future these methods will be confronted with the development of DNA-based methods.

The immunologic risk associated to erythrocyte transfusions is bound to the polymorphism of blood group systems and to the respect of blood transfusion regulations. The results of three studies are presented, which were carried out respectively by the French Society of Blood Transfusion, the National Institute of Blood Transfusion and the National Haemovigilance Network. Two hundred and twenty-seven cases of immunologic accidents are analysed using the Kaplan's interpretation model and the traditional method of process analysis. The results show three critical factors in the occurrence of this type of incident: the relevance of the clinical examinations prescribed, the way in which the biological results are taken into account, and the relationship/exchange of information between private and public hospitals, and blood transfusion centers.

The reagents used for blood group analyses are subject in France to the same regulations as other reagents. A file must be submitted for each reagent to the Agence française de sécurité sanitaire des produits de santé. Furthermore, each production lot must be checked by the Centre national de référence pour les groupes sanguins (CNRGS) for control before marketing. These controls allow a comparative quality assessment of the reagents. The investigation by the CNRGS of the problems encountered in the every day use of these products makes this quality control even more accurate.

The national reference Center for blood groups checked samples of reagents and devices used in France for a definitive verification of pretransfusion ABO tests performed at the patient's bedside, as defined by French health authority regulations. The results of an initial inquiry was published in 1991. The new study shows no significant improvement of the quality of reagents and devices. This is a major concern considering the importance of ABO incompatibility in severe hemolytic transfusion reactions.

Until the '80s blood group reagents were composed of human or animal polyclonal antibodies; nowadays they are mainly produced from monoclonal antibodies. In this paper two aspects will be considered; firstly the evolution in the use of monoclonal reagents in France and secondly the quality of these new reagents in comparison with polyclonal reagents. From 1981 to 1995, 17567 batches of blood group reagents were analyzed and controlled by the French Blood Group Reference Laboratory (CNRGS). All data are given in six tables.

Erythrocyte blood group-reference laboratory activities have to develop in accordance with new scientific knowledge brought by molecular biology. Reference laboratories will have to use immunology as well as molecular biology for a long time yet; both approaches are complementary. Recombinant cells expressing specific antigens will thus be used in parallel to red blood cells with selected phenotype combinations. To be efficient, Reference laboratory activities must be performed together with research and education activities with a view to spreading knowledge within a national network.