Test ID: RBCME    
Red Blood Cell Membrane Evaluation, Blood

Osmotic Fragility:

Specimens for erythrocyte osmotic fragility tests are anticoagulated with EDTA. Osmotic lysis is performed using sodium chloride (NaCl) solution, 0.50 g/dL. An incubated fragility test is performed following 24-hour incubation at 37 degrees C at the following NaCl concentrations: 0.60, 0.65, and 0.75 g/dL. Results are reported and interpreted.(Larson CJ, Scheidt R, Fairbanks VF: The osmotic fragility test for hereditary spherocytosis: use of EDTA-anticoagulated blood stored at 4 degrees C for up to 96 hours. Am Soc Clin Pathol Meeting Abstract, 1988; Larson CJ, Scheidt R, Fairbanks VF: The osmotic fragility test for hereditary spherocytosis: objective criteria for test interpretation. Am Soc Clin Pathol Meeting Abstract, 1988)

Band 3:

Eosin-5-maleimide (EMA) is a fluorescent dye that binds to Lys-430 of the extracellular loop of the band 3 protein. Using a 1-color flow cytometry method (number of events plotted against fluorescence), the fluorescent intensity of EMA-stained RBC, is assessed and compared to normal-value patients.(King MJ, Behrens J, Rogers C, et al: Rapid flow cytometric test for the diagnosis of membrane cytoskeletal associated hemolytic anemia. Br J Haematol 2000;111:924-933)

Peripheral Blood Smear Review:
A hematopathologist who is an expert in these disorders evaluates the slides and an interpretive report is issued.

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