A novel assay for typing Rh antigens in blood-stains using a lectin specific to the bisecting N-acetyl-D-glucosamine side chain of glycoprotein.

A unique sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the determination of Rh antigens in blood stains has been developed using Rh antisera and phaseolus vulgaris E4/peroxidase conjugate (PHAE4/PO). The appropriate antiserum for detecting Rh C, c, D, E or e was coated on the inner surface of microplate wells, and the sample antigens from blood stains, solubilized with n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, were then placed in the wells. After washing the wells repeatedly, PHAE4/PO was added. Bound PHAE4/PO was detected by the development of colors using o-phenylenediamine/H2O2. All Rh antigens corresponding to the antisera were clearly detected using this technique. The detection limit expressed by sample dilution was more than 2 x 10(5) times (volume/dried blood weight) for the various antigens from the fresh 5 x 5 mm2 blood stain. Even when the blood stain samples were left beside a sunny window at room temperature for 2 months, Rh antigens were still detected. When the ABH, MN, P1, Kidd, Duffy and Lewis blood grouping systems were tested with similar ELISA procedures PHAE4 did not recognize any antigen. Since PHAE4 specifically recognizes and combines with the bisecting N-acetyl-D-glucosamine side chain, it was concluded that the glycoprotein was a component of all Rh antigens immune complexes.