blood transfusion lab Flashcards
what are antigens?
part of the surface of cells
all blood cells have what?
antigens
what are antibodies?
protein molecules –usually of the immunoglobulin classes: IgG and IgM
when do reactions to blood usually occur?
when the antibody in the plasma reacts with an antigen on the cells
where are antibodies found?
in the plasma
when are antibodies produced?
produced by the immune system following exposure to a foreign antigen
how many known blood group systems are there?
26
-ABO and Rh are clinically most important
antigens in transfused blood can stimulate what?
can stimulate a patient to produce an antibody, but ONLY if the patient lacks the antigen themselves
is the frequency of antibody production high or low?
very low but increases the more transfusions that are given
when is antibody production stimulated?
Blood transfusion
-i.e. blood carrying antigens foreign to the patient
Pregnancy
-fetal antigen entering maternal circulation during pregnancy or at birth
Environmental factors
-(i.e. naturally acquired e.g. anti-A and anti-B)
where do Antibody – Antigen reactions occur?
in vivo (in the body)
- leads to the destruction of the cell either:
- directly when the cell breaks up in the blood stream (intravascular)
- indirectly when liver and spleen remove antibody coated cells (extravascular)
in vitro (in the laboratory) -reactions are normally seen as agglutination tests
define agglutination
clumping together of red cells into visible agglutinates due to antigen-antibody reactions (antibody cross-linking with the antigens)
what is specific?
the antigen-antibody reaction agglutination can identify:-
what can agglutination identify?
The presence of a red cell antigen
-i.e. blood grouping
The presence of an antibody in the plasma
-i.e. antibody screening/identification
55% of the UK have which antigens?
A and B antigens
97% UK have which anti bodies?
Anti-A, anti-B or anti-A,B antibodies
what is high risk?
A or B cells being transfused into someone with the antibody in a random situation
ABO antibodies can activate what?
complement
-causing INTRAVASCULAR HAEMOLYSIS
almost all serious/fatal transfusion reactions caused by technical/clerical error are due to what?
ABO incompatibility
blood type phenotypes, antigens and antibodies
groups A, B, AB, O
antigens A, B, A + B, no antigens
antibodies anti-B, anti-A, anti-A and anti-B, none