An extensive range of enhancing media and auxiliary solutions are available for performing conventional serology techniques.
Antigen or antibody reactions are affected by various physical or chemical factors. These reagents enhance antigen or antibody interactions for increased sensitivity and rapidity in antibody detection.

Anti-human globulin reagents are used in indirect and direct antiglobulin tests. The indirect test is used for antibody detection and identification, cross-matching and antigen typing with IgG antibodies. The direct antiglobulin test detects the presence of in vivo coating of red blood cells, with IgG and/or the complement components C3b and/or C3d.
The purpose of enhancement media is to increase detection of IgG antibodies, which are often thought to be more clinically significant, since they are optimally reactive at 37°C.
RBCs are surrounded by negative charge due to sialic acid present on their membranes. This repels other RBCs, and prevents RBC adherence to each other in vivo. This zone of negative charge attracts an ionic cloud of positively charged cations, creating a potential known as the zeta potential. This, in turn, influences the reactivity of IgM and IgG antibodies.

Low ionic strength solution (LISS): generally contains 0.2% saline. This reduces the zeta potential, and increases the rate of antibody uptake during sensitisation. However, it may result in false positives, and may need to be repeated using albumin. LISS ready for use is a low ionic strength solution containing glycine, sodium chloride and phosphate buffer.

Bovine Albumin (BSA 22% or 30%) is primarily used to enhance the reactivity of blood group antibodies, either in direct agglutination tests or indirect antiglobulin test.
The source of the albumin used in lab tests is sourced from cows (bovine). The mechanism of action of the albumin is that it increases the dielectric constant, and thus decreases the zeta potential, allowing the attraction of red cells. Being a dipolar molecule, albumin dissipates energy as it rotates, thereby reducing the thickness of the ionic cloud surrounding each cell. Once the red cells are close enough together, the small IgG molecule can span the distance between the cells and, in turn, cause agglutination.

Red Cell Suspending Fluid is exactly that: it’s used to suspend red cells in a suspension, and is a common reagent used for many serologic procedures. Red cell suspensions provide the appropriate serum to cell ratio, to allow for grading and interpretation of tests results.

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