11: Blood Transfusion Flashcards
- List the major blood groups and explain their clinical importance
- Explain the screening of blood donors
- List the blood components used clinically
- Recall the potential side effects of blood and plasma transfusions
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When do you use blood transfusion?
When plain fluid replacement is not enough
OR
If anaemic - when iron/B12/folate not enough
How do the different blood groups arise?
We all have common glycoprotein and fucose stem on the red cell membrane. This is the H stem (has H antigen on the end)
Blood groups A and B are formed by adding A or B antigens onto the common stem
Group O has NEITHER antigen - just the stem
What does the A gene code for?
Transferase enzyme that adds N-acetyl-galactosamine onto H stem
What does the B gene code for?
Transferase enzyme that adds galactose onto H stem
Feature of the O gene
It is RECESSIVE so you need 1 O gene from each parent or you can’t get group O
What antibodies does the body make against RBC antigens? When does this occur?
Body makes IgM antibodies against whatever antigen you DON’T have.
Occurs near birth
IgM
- pentameric antibodies
- fully activate complement cascade
- causes haemolysis.
IgM works at body temp.
In lab tests, IgM antibodies cause agglutination of RBCs
If you are group A you will have antibodies against group B. Vice versa for group B
If you’re group O, you make both anti-A & anti-B antibodies
What happens if wrong ABO blood group is given?
IgM activates complement cascade
Causes haemolysis
Triggers cytokine storm
Leads to cardiovascular collapse or DEATH
Frequency of blood groups in UK
Group O = 47%
Group A = 42%
Group B = 8%
Group AB = 3%
What antibodies do people with group AB blood have?
None
They dont have anti-A or anti-B antibodies
What is the other blood group type?
RhD positive (if you have D antigen) RhD negative
What are the genes for RhD?
D - codes for D antigen on red cell membrane
d - recessive, doesn’t code for antigen
DD or Dd = RhD positive
dd = RhD negative
Prevalence of RhD groups?
85% RhD positive
15% Rhd negative
What antigens/antibodies do the different RhD groups have?
RhD positive:
- D antigen positive
- NO anti-D antibodies
RhD negative:
- No D antigen
- No anti-D antibodies BUT can make them D if they are exposed to the D antigen. This can occur by:
- Transfusion of RhD positive blood
- Pregnant women with RhD positive fetus
What kind of antibodies are anti-D antibodies
IgG