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Blood Transfusion & the ABO Rhesus System

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Blood Transfusion & the ABO Rhesus (Rh) System

There are many different blood types. Blood types need to be matched prior to blood transfusions to prevent rejection.

Red blood cells

Red blood cells

  • Red blood cells are coated in antigens made of glycolipids and glycoproteins.
  • The composition of these molecules is determined by genetics, which has evolved over time.
    • The two most well known blood groups are the ABO and Rh systems.
ABO system

ABO system

  • The surface antigens in the ABO blood group are glycolipids, called antigen A and antigen B.
    • People with blood type A have antigen A.
    • Those with blood type B have antigen B.
    • Those with blood type AB have both antigens.
    • People with blood type O have neither antigen.
  • The glycoproteins serve as antigens and can elicit an immune response in a person who receives a transfusion containing unfamiliar antigens.
Antigens & antibodies

Antigens & antibodies

  • Individuals with blood type A have antibodies against the B antigen, and vice versa.
  • Type O blood has antibodies against antigen A & B.
  • Type AB blood doesn't have antibodies against either antigen.
  • When type A and type B blood are combined, the antibodies in the plasma bind with the opposing antigen.
    • This causes clots that coagulate in the kidney causing kidney failure.
  • So, individuals with antibodies against a blood antigen can't be given that blood type.
Universal donors & acceptors

Universal donors & acceptors

  • Type O blood, which has no A or B antigens, does not elicit an immune response when injected into a person of any blood type.
    • So, O is considered the universal donor.
  • Persons with type AB blood can accept blood from any blood type.
    • So, type AB is considered the universal acceptor.
Rhesus

Rhesus

  • Most people have the Rh antigen (Rh+) and do not have anti-Rh antibodies in their blood.
  • The few people who do not have the Rh antigen and are Rh– can develop anti-Rh antibodies if exposed to Rh+ blood.
    • This can happen after a blood transfusion or after an Rh– woman has an Rh+ baby.
  • The first exposure does not usually cause a reaction.
  • At the second exposure, enough antibodies have built up in the blood to produce a reaction that causes agglutination and breakdown of red blood cells.
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