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sucrose hemolysis test

Indications: - whenever paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is in the differential diagnosis - any hemolytic anemia of obscure origin Principle: Sucrose provides a medium of low ionic strength that promotes binding of complement to erythrocytes. In PNH, a population of the red blood cells (RBC) are abnormally sensitive to complement- mediated lysis. Procedure: The patients washed RBC's are mixed with ABO-compatible serum & isotonic (10%) sucrose. This is incubated at room temperature for 30 minutes, then centrifuged. The % hemolysis in the supernatant is determined. Two control tubes: one omitting serum, the other omitting the RBC should be negative. Interpretation: - <5 % hemolysis is a negative test - >10 % is diagnostic for PNH - 5-10% may be seen in megaloblastic anemia & AIHA - False negatives result if serum lacks complement activity

General

clinical hematology test

References

  1. Clinical Diagnosis & Management by Laboratory Methods, 19th edition, J.B. Henry (ed), W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA. 1996, pg 635
  2. Sugar Water Test Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 49005