Blood Transfusion Flashcards
How much blood and how frequently can one donor give?
1 unit (1 pint) every 4 months
What glycoprotein and fructose stem is common to everyone?
H stem
What are A and B antigens?
A + B antigens are made by the addition of a sugar residue onto the common H stem
What does the A gene encode?
An ENZYME that adds N-acetyl galactosamine to the H stem
What does the B gene encode?
An ENZYME that adds galactose to the H stem
Describe the inheritance pattern of the ABO blood groups.
A + B genes are co-dominant
O is ‘recessive’ because it doesn’t code for anything at all
Need to be homozygous for O (OO) to be in blood group O
Which antibodies would someone in blood group A possess? Why?
Anti-B antibodies because each person produces antibodies against any antigen that is NOT present on their own red cells.
What class of immunoglobulin are the A/B antibodies?
IgM Naturally occurring (nearly from birth)
What would happen if someone with anti-B antibodies was given B-positive blood?
Anti-A/anti-B antibodies are complete antibodies- thus fully activate the complement cascade to cause haemolysis of red cells
Often FATAL
Can lead to cytokine storm, lysis, cardiovascular collapse + death
In the laboratory, what would you see if you were to mix the plasma of someone of blood group A with the red cells of someone in blood group B?
Agglutination
What are the 2 most common blood groups in the UK?
A (42%)
O (47%)
What is done before transfusion to check that the donor blood and the recipient’s blood is compatible?
Blood sample is taken from the patient + ABO group determined (test with anti-A + anti-B antibodies)
Select a donor unit of the same group
X-MATCH: patient’s serum is mixed with donor red cells – it should NOT react (reaction shows incompatibility)
Which rhesus antigen is the most important?
RhD
Describe the inheritance pattern of the RhD antigen.
Autosomal Dominant
RhD codes for the D antigen
Describe the relative proportions of RhD positive and RhD negative individuals within the population.
RhD positive = 85%
RhD negative = 15%
What can happen when RhD negative people are exposed to RhD positive blood?
They become sensitised + can make anti-D antibodies
What type of antibody are anti-D antibodies?
IgG
What are the implications on future transfusions of an RhD negative individual who has been sensitised to RhD following exposure?
Must be transfused with RhD negative blood or the anti-D antibodies (from 1st exposure) will react with RhD positive blood
This will cause a delayed haemolytic transfusion reaction resulting in anaemia, high BR, jaundice etc.
What is haemolytic disease of the newborn?
If an RhD negative mother generates anti-D antibodies following pregnancy with a RhD positive foetus, then if the next foetus is RhD positive, the mother’s anti-D antibodies (IgG) can cross the placenta + cause haemolysis of foetal red cells.
If severe this can cause hydrops fetalis + death.
About 8% of transfused patients will form antibodies against antigens other than ABO and RhD. What are the implications of this?
Once they have formed antibodies against these other antigens, must use corresponding antigen negative blood, else risk a delayed haemolytic reaction.
What must you always do before transfusion in patients that have developed antibodies other than those against AB or RhD?
Before each transfusion, test patient’s blood sample for red cell antibodies.
So as well as testing the ABO + RhD groups, must do antibody screening of their plasma.
Why is whole blood no longer routinely given to patients?
It’s inefficient- patients don’t need all the components
Some components of the blood will degenerate quickly if stored as whole blood