Quality Control and Quality Assurance Procedures
Q: In the management of a laboratory where stool samples are processed, which quality control practice is most critical for ensuring accurate parasitological diagnosis?
Did You Know?
This statement is true. Antibodies against the Kidd system antigens (Jka and Jkb) are particularly notorious in transfusion medicine. They are often IgG and can activate complement. What makes them problematic is their tendency to fall to very low, undetectable levels in the serum over time (they become 'evanescent'). A patient may have a negative antibody screen years after sensitization. However, upon re-exposure to the Kidd antigen through a transfusion, they mount a rapid anamnestic (memory) response, producing high levels of antibody within days. This destroys the transfused red cells, causing a Delayed Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction (DHTR). The symptoms (fever, jaundice, falling hemoglobin) can be subtle and are often missed unless there is a high index of suspicion. Anti-Jka and anti-Jkb are considered clinically significant antibodies, and Kidd-negative blood must be provided to patients with these antibodies.
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