Distinct molecules called aggultinogens (a type of
antigen) are attached to the surface of cells. There are two different type of
aggultinogen, type A and B. The ABO blood group classification system uses the
presence or absence of these molecules to categorize blood into four groups.
There are four principle ABO blood groups: A, B, AB and O. There are two
antigens and two antibodies that are mostly responsible for the ABO blood
group. For example, people with group A blood will have the A antigen on the
surface of their red cells. As a result, anti-A antibodies will not be produced
by them because they would cause the destruction of their own blood. However if
group B blood is injected into their system, anti-B antibodies in their plasma
will recognize it as an alien and burst or agglutinate the introduced red cell
in order to cleanse the blood of the alien protein. Individuals with group O
blood do not produce A or B antigens. Therefore, their blood normally will be
accepted when it is given to others with different ABO blood group. As a result
group O people are universal donors for transfusions, but they can receive only
group O blood themselves. Those who have group AB blood do not make any ABO
group. Consequently, they are universal receivers for transfusions but their
blood will be agglutinated when given to people with every other type because
they produce both kinds of antigens which are antigen A and antigen B. (Dennis,
2012).
antigen) are attached to the surface of cells. There are two different type of
aggultinogen, type A and B. The ABO blood group classification system uses the
presence or absence of these molecules to categorize blood into four groups.
There are four principle ABO blood groups: A, B, AB and O. There are two
antigens and two antibodies that are mostly responsible for the ABO blood
group. For example, people with group A blood will have the A antigen on the
surface of their red cells. As a result, anti-A antibodies will not be produced
by them because they would cause the destruction of their own blood. However if
group B blood is injected into their system, anti-B antibodies in their plasma
will recognize it as an alien and burst or agglutinate the introduced red cell
in order to cleanse the blood of the alien protein. Individuals with group O
blood do not produce A or B antigens. Therefore, their blood normally will be
accepted when it is given to others with different ABO blood group. As a result
group O people are universal donors for transfusions, but they can receive only
group O blood themselves. Those who have group AB blood do not make any ABO
group. Consequently, they are universal receivers for transfusions but their
blood will be agglutinated when given to people with every other type because
they produce both kinds of antigens which are antigen A and antigen B. (Dennis,
2012).
Rhesus Blood Group
In 1939, Philip Levine and Rufus Steston published a
first case report of the clinical consequences of non-recognised Rh blood group
(also called Rhesus factor), haemolytic transfusion reaction and haemolytic
disease of the newborn in its most severe form. It was recognized that the
serum of the reported woman agglutinated with red blood cells of about 80% of the people although, the then known blood
groups, in particular ABO were matched.
In 1940, Karl Landsteiner and Alexander S. Weiner reported a serum that also
reacted with about 85% of different human blood cells. The real factor was
traced in the Rhesus monkey and later classified in the Landsteiner-Wiener
antigen system as the Rhesus factor in honour to their disclosure of the Rhesus
factor.
first case report of the clinical consequences of non-recognised Rh blood group
(also called Rhesus factor), haemolytic transfusion reaction and haemolytic
disease of the newborn in its most severe form. It was recognized that the
serum of the reported woman agglutinated with red blood cells of about 80% of the people although, the then known blood
groups, in particular ABO were matched.
In 1940, Karl Landsteiner and Alexander S. Weiner reported a serum that also
reacted with about 85% of different human blood cells. The real factor was
traced in the Rhesus monkey and later classified in the Landsteiner-Wiener
antigen system as the Rhesus factor in honour to their disclosure of the Rhesus
factor.
The Rhesus factor is an inherited trait that refers to
a specific protein on the surface of the red blood cells. Rh factor is
inherited from parents to children through gene. Rhesus positivity and Rhesus
negativity refers to the D antigen – used to determine risk of haemolytic
disease of newborn. As part of prenatal care, blood test may be used to find
out the blood type of terms (Mayo, 2014)
a specific protein on the surface of the red blood cells. Rh factor is
inherited from parents to children through gene. Rhesus positivity and Rhesus
negativity refers to the D antigen – used to determine risk of haemolytic
disease of newborn. As part of prenatal care, blood test may be used to find
out the blood type of terms (Mayo, 2014)
