Blood group antigens and antibodies Flashcards
Where are antigens found?
on all cell surfaces
blood cells have them
Where are antibodies found?
in the blood plasma
IgG/IgM
How many known blood grouping systems are there?
26
ABO and Rh (D) = most important
When can the antigen in the transfused blood stimulate an antibody?
if transfused blood does not have a self antigen
if the person who is getting the transfusion has a different blood group
What can stimulate antibody production against blood cells?
blood transfusion ie blood carrying antigens foreign to a patient
pregnancy ie foetal antigen entering the maternal circulation during pregnancy or birth
environmental factors ie naturally acquired
antibodies like anti-A and anti-B
What do Antibody-antigen reactions cause in the body?
haemolysis
Where can haemolysis occur?
intravascular- directly where red blood cells break up in blood streatm
extravascular- indirectly= liver and spleen remove antibody coated red cells
In the lab, what are lab, antibody-antigen reactions used to check for?
agglutination
What is agglutination?
red cells clumping together into visible agglutinates by
antigen-antibody reactions
many antibodies crosslink with antigens
What does agglutination check in a lab?
If two blood groups are compatible with each other before transfusion
agglutination can be used to type the red cell (see what antigens are present on red cells)
check for the presence of an antibody in the plasma of a
patient (by adding red cells with known antigens to plasma)
A and B antigens are very common in the UK. Why can this be a problem?
A and B antigens are very common in the UK (55% of UK people)
this means anti-A, anti-B and anti-AB antibodies are common in UK (97%)
SO= high risk of A or B cells being transfused into someone with the antibody
What is the antigen, genotype, antibody and frequency of blood group A?
antigen= A genotype= AA, AO antibody= anti B frequency= 43%
What is the antigen, genotype, antibody and frequency of blood group B?
antigen= B genotype= BB, BO antibody= anti A frequency= 9%
What is the antigen, genotype, antibody and frequency of blood group O?
antigen= none genotype= OO antibody= anti A, anti B frequency= 45%
What is the antigen, genotype, antibody and frequency of blood group AB?
antigen=A, B
genotype= AB
antibody= none
frequency= 3%
Even though you havent been exposed to other blood groups why do we have antibodies against them?
gut bacteria wtih A like antigens and B like antigens on them
e.g. if blood group A. immune system recognis A antigen
and make antibody against B antigen
What type of antibodies are Anti-A and Anti-B?
IgM
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