An antibody adsorbed onto red cells, either in vivo or in vitro, can be dissociated and recovered through elution. The eluate can then be used to identify a single antibody in multispecific sera, demonstrate the presence of a weak antigen, identify the antibody responsible for a positive direct antiglobulin test in acquired haemolytic anaemia or transfusion reaction, identify the antibodies causing haemolytic disease of the newborn or prepare specific antibody from sera containing unwanted antibodies.

Unabsorbed antibody surrounding the sensitised red cells is removed by washing with a solution, which prevents the loss of adsorbed antibody from the red cells. After washing, the antigen-antibody complex is broken by addition of a low pH solution. The recovered eluate is adjusted to pH 7.0 ± 0.5 by adding a base buffered solution

Lorne Red Cell Elute is an acid elution kit. The kit consists of Concentrated Wash Solution, which is used to minimise antibody dissociation during washing, Acid Eluting Solution, which is a low pH glycine buffer containing a colouring agent (pH indicator) and a Base Buffering Solution, Tris (hydroxymethyl aminomethane) solution containing bovine albumin. All the solutions are supplied at optimal dilution for use with all recommended techniques stated below without the need for further dilution or addition with the exception of the Concentrated Wash Solution.