Mixed Field: A type of agglutination pattern in which there are numerous small clumps
of cells amid a sea of free cells.
MSBOS: Maximum Surgical Blood Ordering Schedule. Specifies type and screen or
number of units crossmatched for a particular procedure.
Mosaic: An antigen that is composed of several subunits, such as the D antigen. A
mixture of characteristics that may result from a genetic crossing over or mutation.
MTF/MTE: Medical Treatment Facility (USA) / Medical Treatment Element (USAF).
Multiparous: Having borne more than one child.
Neonate: A newborn infant up to 6 weeks of age.
Neutralization: Inactivating an
antibody by
reacting it
with an
antigen against which it
is directed. Methodology of HIV-1 Ag and HBsAg confirmation tests.
NIST (or NBS): National Institute of Standards and Technology (old title: National
Bureau of Standards).
Nonresponder: An individual whose immune system does not respond well in antibody
formation to antigenic stimulation.
OCONUS: Outside the continental U.S.
Panagglutinin: An antibody capable of agglutinating all red blood cells tested,
including the patient's own cells.
Pancytopenia: A reduction in all cellular elements of the blood, including red cells,
white cells, and platelets.
Panel: A large number of group O reagent red cells that are of known antigenic
characterization and are used for antibody identification.
Phlebotomy: To take blood from a person.
Plasma: The liquid portion of whole blood containing water, electrolytes, glucose fats,
proteins, and gases. Plasma contains all the clotting factors necessary for coagulation,
but in an inactive form. Once coagulation occurs, the fluid is converted to serum.
Platelet: A round or oval disk, 2-4 microns in diameter, that is derived from the
cytoplasm of the megakaryocyte, a large cell in the bone marrow. Platelets play an
important role in blood coagulation, hemostasis, and blood thrombus formation. When
a small vessel is injured, platelets adhere to each other and the edges of the injury and
form a plug that covers the area and stops the loss of blood.
MD0868
G-9