Which statement about antiglobulin reagent is true?

Which statement about antiglobulin reagent is true?

• A. It may be produced in laboratory animals
• B. It is always derived from human plasma
• C. It cannot be used in polyspecific testing
• D. It is only used in in vivo tests

Answer: (B)

Antiglobulin reagent is the tool used in the Coombs test to reveal antibodies or complement that have bound to red cells, and it is typically produced by immunizing laboratory animals with human globulins to generate anti-human globulin antibodies. This animal-derived production is a common and practical method, so the statement that it may be produced in laboratory animals describes its usual origin. It is not limited to human plasma—many antiglobulin reagents come from animal antisera or recombinant sources, and can be monospecific (anti-IgG or anti-C3) or polyspecific (anti-IgG plus anti-C3). The reagent is used in vitro, in the laboratory, to detect bound antibodies or complement on red cells, not in vivo.

Antiglobulin reagent is the tool used in the Coombs test to reveal antibodies or complement that have bound to red cells, and it is typically produced by immunizing laboratory animals with human globulins to generate anti-human globulin antibodies. This animal-derived production is a common and practical method, so the statement that it may be produced in laboratory animals describes its usual origin. It is not limited to human plasma—many antiglobulin reagents come from animal antisera or recombinant sources, and can be monospecific (anti-IgG or anti-C3) or polyspecific (anti-IgG plus anti-C3). The reagent is used in vitro, in the laboratory, to detect bound antibodies or complement on red cells, not in vivo.