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Paper-based test can tell blood type in 30 seconds with 99% accuracy, researchers find

By Chukwuma Muanya, Assistant Editor
21 March 2017   |   3:52 am
But the new paper-based test can be performed without the need for specialist equipment, Chinese researchers claim. After analysing 3,550 blood samples, the scientists found it deciphered results in just two steps - taking less than 30 seconds.

Paper-based test can tell blood type in 30 seconds

A study shows that a new test can identify a patient’s blood type in just a few seconds with 99.9 per cent accuracy. Current methods to determine whether someone in a life-threatening situation is an A, B, AB or O are slow and technically demanding.

But the new paper-based test can be performed without the need for specialist equipment, Chinese researchers claim. After analysing 3,550 blood samples, the scientists found it deciphered results in just two steps – taking less than 30 seconds.

In life or death situations, medics are often forced to give patients supplies of O blood while they wait for results. Mismatched blood can lead to death, but this particular type lacks antigens that can trigger immune reactions.

Each blood type contains its own antigens, and if it detects foreign chemicals it can trigger a body-wide response. However, because O can safely be given to anyone, this can lead to huge pressure on supplies of the specific blood type, New Scientist reports.

Dr. Hong Zhang, of Third Military Medical University, said: “The rapid turnaround time of the test could be ideal for resource-limited situations, such as war zones, remote areas, and during emergencies.”

To create the test, the scientists used chemical reactions between blood serum proteins and a common dye.

BLOOD TYPE LINKED TO IMPOTENCE
Millions of men suffer problems in the bedroom due to ageing, obesity and illnesses like diabetes. But last week scientists discovered there could be another surprising reason why so many struggle to perform – their blood type.

A study showed men with blood types A, B or AB are up to four times more likely to suffer impotence – than men who have blood type O. The Turkish findings are potentially significant as it’s estimated more than half of all men carry A, B or AB blood. They applied a small sample onto a test-strip containing antibodies that were built to recognise different blood types.

The results appeared as visual colour changes – teal if a blood group antigen was present in a sample, brown if not. With slightly more time – but still in less than two minutes – the test was able to identify multiple rare blood types.

The only inconsistencies occurred in trials with highly uncommon blood types, according to the study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

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