A Biological Test for Injury to the Human Red Cell

A biological system for the detection of human red cell injury has been described. Allogeneic macrophages incubated in human AB serum will readily phagocytose human red cells which have been sensitised with either anti‐D serum or a haemolysin. Old human red cells are also phagocytosed but normal fresh cells are not. The technique is reproducible providing strict technical precautions are observed. The allogeneic macrophage system may be useful for the investigation of red cell abnormalities in man.