Synonyms

Clinical Indications

To determine  granulocyte antibody significance in patients with severe neutropenia ( cause unknown )

Request Form

Combined Pathology Blood form (Yellow/Black or Blue for GP's)

Availability

Analysed by referral laboratory if specific criteria met. (NBS Bristol)

Specific Criteria

Requested by Consultant or agreed with Consultant Haematologists.

Turnaround Time

Usually within two months

Specimen

Whole Blood and Serum

Volume

3 x 7mL

Container

2 x Purple top (EDTA) tube.
1 x Yellow top (SST) tube.

Collection

Samples should be transported to laboratory immediately.

Lab. Handling

Samples should be posted to the Reference Laboratory as soon as possible.

Causes for Rejection

Unlabelled sample. Not meeting specific criteria for analysis. Delay in sample reaching laboratory. Underfilled, clotted or haemolysed samples.

Interpretation

Testing for Granulocyte antibodies will only be undertaken if the condition falls into the following catergories.

1. Autoimmune neutropenia, caused by rare granulocyte autoantibodies. The condition in children between 6 months and 5 years, known as autoimmune neutropenia of infancy, is self limiting but may last several years. In adults, the condition may present as an isolated primary disorder or be secondary to other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or SLE.
2. Neonatal neutropenia, caused by maternal antibodies present on granulocytes at birth, leading to the risk of infectious complications.
3. Severe non haemolytic transfusion reactions.
4. Transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI)
5. Neutropenia following bone marrow transplant.
6. Drug induced antibody neutropenia. This test must be accompanied by a sample of the drug involved.