Approximately
400 group antigens have been described so far. These are inherited stable or
permanent characteristics and therefore are useful in paternity testing. The
knowledge of blood group antigens is important in blood transfusion. If a
recipient lacks a particular blood group antigen he may produce antibody
against that antigen leading to transfusion reaction. Different blood group
antigens have varying degrees of antigenicity. There are four main blood
groups, A, AB, B and O. the blood type is determined by proteins called antigen
found on the surface of the red blood cells. If an individual have the antigen
A on the red blood cell then the person is type A blood group, when B antigen
is present then the person is type B blood group. If AB antigen is present, the
person is type AB blood group, when neither is present, then the person is type
O blood group.
400 group antigens have been described so far. These are inherited stable or
permanent characteristics and therefore are useful in paternity testing. The
knowledge of blood group antigens is important in blood transfusion. If a
recipient lacks a particular blood group antigen he may produce antibody
against that antigen leading to transfusion reaction. Different blood group
antigens have varying degrees of antigenicity. There are four main blood
groups, A, AB, B and O. the blood type is determined by proteins called antigen
found on the surface of the red blood cells. If an individual have the antigen
A on the red blood cell then the person is type A blood group, when B antigen
is present then the person is type B blood group. If AB antigen is present, the
person is type AB blood group, when neither is present, then the person is type
O blood group.
The
ABO system is the most important blood system in organ transplantation works
because strongly reacting antibodies are present in the serum of individuals
who lack the corresponding antigens and A and B antigens are present on many
tissue cells in the red cells (O’Donell and Laffan, 2011).
ABO system is the most important blood system in organ transplantation works
because strongly reacting antibodies are present in the serum of individuals
who lack the corresponding antigens and A and B antigens are present on many
tissue cells in the red cells (O’Donell and Laffan, 2011).
Table 2.5.1: ABO Blood group antigens and
antibodies
antibodies
|
ABO Blood Group
|
Antigen
|
Antibody
|
|
A
|
A
|
Anti-B
|
|
B
|
B
|
Anti-A
|
|
AB
|
A+B
|
None
|
|
O
|
None
|
Anti-A + Anti-B
|
(Source: Adeoye, 2007).
