Abstract: Objective Inactivation refers to the method of destroying microorganisms by physical or chemical means to lose their biological activity, but without damaging their important antigens. Blood group test requires blood sample from patient with coronavirus disease（COVID-19）to be inactivated at 56℃ in a water bath for 30 minutes prior to pre-transfusion testing.This study aims to discover the effect of the inactivation process on the detection of erythrocyte blood group antigens. Methods The titrated blood grouping reagents were used to detect blood group antigens in five blood samples before and after 56℃ inactivation. Results Using the titrated antibodies to detect A, B, RhD and Fy^a antigens by gel method, we found that there were no statistically significant difference in each dilution between A and B antigens. While, RhD antigen showed statistical differences in each dilution test（diluted 1∶8：P<0.05;diluted 1∶16 ~ 1∶256：P<0.01）, and Fy^a antigen also showed statistical differences in each dilution test （P<0.01）. Conclusion The 56℃ inactivation process could weaken erythrocyte blood group antigens and it exerts greater effects on blood group antigens detection.

Key words: 56℃ inactivation, Erythrocyte membrane protein, Stability, Antigen detection