Blood Groups And Blood Transfusions Flashcards
ABO typing
ABO system so potently antigenic because the antibodies occur naturally
• ABO antigens inherited in mendelian pattern
• Gene on chromosome 9 codes for an enzyme rather than the sugar itself
• Another gene codes for the sugar base of the ABO antigen
• A: dominant- 40%, has anti-B antibodies
• B: dominant- 12%, has anti-A antibodies
• AB: universal acceptor- 3%, no antibodies
• O: universal donor, 45%, no antigens but has both anti-A and anti-B antibodies
• Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody is mainly produced by the spleen- cannot cross placenta
ABO antigens
Made from carbohydrates not proteins
H antigen- different sugars on end create different A, B, AB, O antigens
ABO antibodies
Theorised they develop against environmental antigens
• Infants <3 months produce few if any antibodies (maternal prior to this)
• First true ABO antibodies > 3 months
• Maximal titre 5-10 years
• Titre decreases with age
• Mix of IgG and IgM
• IgM mainly for group A and B
• Wide thermal range means they are reactive at 37°C
Blood group A antibodies and antigens
A antigen
Anti-B antibodies
Blood group B antibodies and antigens
B antigen
Anti-A antibodies
Blood group AB antibodies and antigens
A and B antigens
No antibodies
Blood group O antibodies and antigens
No antigens (H antigens)
Anti_A and anti-B anti bodies
Which chromosome codes for ABO blood typing
Chromosome 9
Rhesus antigens
> 45 different Rh antigens
• Series of C, D and E antigens (D is the most important)
• D is a null gene so no protein so anti-D is not possible
• D is dominant- 15% of population dd
• 2 genes, Chromosome 1
1. RHD – codes for Rh D
2. RHCE – codes for Rh C and Rh E
• Highly immunogenic
• Rhesus antibody (IgG) can cross placenta
• Can cause haemolytic transfusion reactions and haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN)
Which chromosome codes for rhesus antigens
Chromosome 1
Haemolytic disease of the fetus/newborn (HDFN):
mother’s antibodies attacks baby’s erythrocytes
• Rh D sensitization most common cause
• Develop anti-Rh antibodies
• Severe fetal anaemia
• Hydrops fetalis (oedema)
Prevention of HDFN
• Detect mothers at risk
• Maternal fetal free DNA
• Anti D prophylaxis
• In-utero blood transfusion
Result of HDFN
• in-utero death
• Still-birth
• Brain damage
• Deafness
• Blindness
How many different systems of erythrocyte antigens are there
Over 400
Universal acceptor
AB: universal acceptor- 3%, no antibodies
Universal donor
O: universal donor, 45%, no antigens but has both anti-A and anti-B antibodies
Forward typing - ABO and RhD grouping
Patient RBCs- antigens
Commercial antibodies
+ve agglutination: same blood type as antibodies
positive test is thin red line on top of gel as blood has agglutinated due to reacting against specific reagents
Reverse typing - ABO and RhD grouping
Patient plasma- antibodies
Commercial antigens
+ve agglutination opposite blood type to antigens
testing patient’s serum with known RBC antigens
Cross-matching blood
• Units of blood deemed suitable chosen from stocks available:
• Either exact match (e.g. A+ for A+) OR
• “Compatible” blood (e.g. O- for A+)
• Serological test
• Prevent transfusion reactions
Indirect Antiglobulin (Coombs) test:
• blood grouping for ABO and Rhesus D
• Detects antibodies in patients serum
Direct antiglobulin (Coombs) test:
• detect antibodies on patient’s erythrocytes
• Used for: autoimmune haemolysis, transfusion reaction, haemolysis due to foetal/maternal group incompatibility
Homologous transfusion
anonymous donor
Autologous transfusion
self-donor eg planned surgery