A rapid screening test for detection of IgA deficiency

A solid-phase red cell adherence (SPRCA) assay has been developed to screen blood donors for IgA deficiency, and 6117 donor sera have been screened by this method. Eighteen sera were found to be IgA deficient, which represents a frequency of 1 in 340. Seventeen of these sera were retested by passive hemagglutination inhibition, which has a sensitivity of approximately 0.1 mg per dL. Eight sera were confirmed as IgA deficient, and nine were found to contain low levels of IgA (< 1 mg/dL). The approximate sensitivity of the SPRCA assay is 1 mg per dL. The speed, simplicity, and sensitivity of this assay make it a good alternative to conventional methods of screening.