Blood typing

The blood groups refer to the presence on

human red blood cells of certain antigens,
the blood group factors. One very important
group of factors present on the red blood cells is
the ABO system. The ABO group of a person
depends on whether his/her red blood cells
contain one, both, or neither of the 2 blood
group antigens A and B. There are, therefore, 4
main ABO groups: A, B, AB and O.

Antibodies (agglutinins) for the antigens A and

B exist in the plasma and these are termed anti-
A and anti-B. The corresponding antigen and
antibody are never found in the same individual
since, when mixed, they form antigen-antibody
complexes, effectively agglutinating the blood.

Testing for ABO Group - Procedure

One end of a slide is labelled Anti-A, and

the other Anti-B. A drop of Anti-A test
serum is added to the end marked Anti-A,
and a drop of Anti-B serum is added to
the end marked Anti-B.

One drop of blood is added to each end

of the slide, and mixed well, using
separate wooden sticks.

The results are read directly from the

slide. The subject is blood group A if
agglutination occurred with the Anti-A test
serum; group B if agglutination occurred
with the Anti-B test serum; group AB if
agglutination occurred with both test
serums, and O if there was no
agglutination in either case. In the
sample to the right, we conclude the
subject has type A blood.
Examine the slides below and determine the blood type of the subject in each case. Click
below to check your answer.

1 2

3 4

What is the answer?

When transfusing blood, it is important to remember that the donor's blood must not contain
red blood cells that the recipient's antibodies can agglutinate. Theoretically, then, individuals
belonging to blood group O are universal donors, while those of blood group AB are
universal recipients.

The Rh System

Rh antigens, named for the rhesus monkey in which they were first discovered, are also
surface antigens expressed on red blood cells. There are a few Rh antigens (common one is
called D). Red cells expressing the Rh antigens are called Rh positive. Red cells which do
not express this surface antigen are Rh negative (about 15% of the human population is Rh
negative).

Rh system becomes important when one considers the eventuality of Rh incompatibility

between mother and fetus; in such a case, the antibody-mediated cytotoxicity mechanism
involved threatens the well-being of the fetus.
During birth, a leakage of the baby's red blood cells often occurs into the mother's circulation.
If the baby is Rh positive (inheriting the trait from its father) and the mother is Rh negative,
these red cells will cause the mother to manufacture antibodies against the Rh antigen. The
antibodies (IgG class) do not cause problems for that first born, but can cross the placenta
and attack the red cells of a subsequent Rh+ fetus. The red cells are destroyed, leading to
anemia and jaundice. The disease - erythroblastosis fetalis or hemolytic disease of the
newborn- may result in fetal death.