Blood Groups and Transfusion Science
Marion E Reid, New York Blood Center, New York, USA
Christine Lomas‐Francis, New York Blood Center, New York, USA
Published online: November 2016
DOI: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0001230.pub3
Abstract
Determination of blood group antigens is an integral part of safe blood transfusion and the management of pregnancy. The antigens
are carried on proteins, glycoproteins and glycolipids on the surface of erythrocytes and, thus, can elicit an immune response
in a recipient who has a different profile of antigens (only identical twins will have erythrocytes with the same profile).
Traditionally, haemagglutination has been used to determine blood group antigen profiles on erythrocytes and to detect and
identify blood group antibodies. In current transfusion medicine practice, haemagglutination and deoxyribonucleic acid testing
are adjuncts. There are 36 blood group systems that harbour 308 antigens. Blood group antigens and antibodies are clinically
important in blood transfusion, maternofoetal blood group incompatibility, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and organ transplants.
Key Concepts
- Blood group antigens are carried on proteins, glycoproteins and glycolipids on the surface of erythrocytes.
- Blood group antigens can elicit an immune response in a recipient who has a different profile of antigens.
- Blood group antibodies are important in blood transfusion, maternofoetal blood group incompatibility, autoimmune haemolytic
anaemia and organ transplants.
- The determination of blood group antigen profiles and the detection and identification of blood group antibodies is achieved
by a combination of haemagglutination and DNA testing.
- A group of antigens encoded by alleles at a single gene locus or at gene loci so closely linked that crossing over does not
occur or is very rare, constitute a blood group system.
- ABO grouping is the single most important test performed in the transfusion service because it is the fundamental basis for
determining blood compatibility.
- Immune antibodies most often are IgG but may be IgM; they mostly react at body temperature (37°C) and most are considered
clinically significant.
Keywords: blood group antigens and transfusion; ABO and Rh blood groups; RBC alloantibodies; RBC antigens; compatibility testing; DNA testing for blood groups
References
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Further Reading
Daniels G (2013) Human Blood Groups, 3rd edn. Oxford: Blackwell Science.
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Reid ME and Lomas‐Francis C (2016) Erythrocyte antigens and antibodies. In: Kaushansky K, Lichtman M, Prchal J, et al. (eds) Williams Hematology, 9th, chap. 136 edn. New York: McGraw Hill Education.
