Blood is man’s complete and unchangeable identity.
Although almost 400 blood grouping antigens have been reported, the ABO and Rh
is recognized as the major (clinically significant) blood group antigens. This
system derives its importance from the fact that A and B are strongly antigenic
and anti A and anti B occur naturally in the serum of persons lacking the
corresponding antigen, these antibodies being capable of producing haemolysis
invivo ( Bauer, 2004).
Although almost 400 blood grouping antigens have been reported, the ABO and Rh
is recognized as the major (clinically significant) blood group antigens. This
system derives its importance from the fact that A and B are strongly antigenic
and anti A and anti B occur naturally in the serum of persons lacking the
corresponding antigen, these antibodies being capable of producing haemolysis
invivo ( Bauer, 2004).
Rhesus blood group system was the fourth system to
be discovered and yet it is the second most important blood group from the
point of view of transfusion (Molison, 2009).
be discovered and yet it is the second most important blood group from the
point of view of transfusion (Molison, 2009).
Karl Landsteiner was the first person to put
forward the ABO blood group system in 1900 (Burns, 2010). After AD 40 years (1940-1941), Landsteiner
and Wiener discovered that blood group antigens could be recognized with
specific antisera and a vast number of antigens have been detected on human
blood cells, of which about 10-15% from well-defined systems and only 1-2% play
a significant role in blood transfusion. These blood group antigens are divided
into many blood group systems. Each of this system is inherited quite
independently from all the other systems (Khaliq and Khan, 2006).
forward the ABO blood group system in 1900 (Burns, 2010). After AD 40 years (1940-1941), Landsteiner
and Wiener discovered that blood group antigens could be recognized with
specific antisera and a vast number of antigens have been detected on human
blood cells, of which about 10-15% from well-defined systems and only 1-2% play
a significant role in blood transfusion. These blood group antigens are divided
into many blood group systems. Each of this system is inherited quite
independently from all the other systems (Khaliq and Khan, 2006).
Human blood antigens may either be erythrocytic,
leukocytic or platelet related (Khurshid and Nazi, 2004). The need for blood
group prevalence studies is multipurpose, as besides their importance in
evolution; their relation to disease and environment is being increasingly sought
in modern medicine (Allshtayeh and Hamin, 2008). Blood group antigens are not
only important in relation to blood transfusion and organ transplantation, but
also have been utilized in genetic research, anthropology and tracing ancestral
relation of humans (Kalmakova and Kononova, 2009).
leukocytic or platelet related (Khurshid and Nazi, 2004). The need for blood
group prevalence studies is multipurpose, as besides their importance in
evolution; their relation to disease and environment is being increasingly sought
in modern medicine (Allshtayeh and Hamin, 2008). Blood group antigens are not
only important in relation to blood transfusion and organ transplantation, but
also have been utilized in genetic research, anthropology and tracing ancestral
relation of humans (Kalmakova and Kononova, 2009).
ABO blood grouping has made transfusion safe.
Discovery of ABO blood types has not only made the medical practice of blood
transfusion a great deal safe, it has also allows scientists to study one of
the first human characteristic proven to be inherited. From Landsteiner’s
discoveries, science has demonstrated that a person’s ABO blood types depend on
which kind of glycoprotein or antigen present in the red cell.
Discovery of ABO blood types has not only made the medical practice of blood
transfusion a great deal safe, it has also allows scientists to study one of
the first human characteristic proven to be inherited. From Landsteiner’s
discoveries, science has demonstrated that a person’s ABO blood types depend on
which kind of glycoprotein or antigen present in the red cell.
People have always been fascinated by blood.
Ancient Egyptians bathed in it, Aristocrats drank it, authors and playwrights
used it as a theme and modern humanity transfuses it. As the first blood group
antigen system recognized in 1900, was ABO, it is the most important in
transfusion medicine. The major blood groups of this system are A, AB, B and O
(O’Donell and Laffan, 2011).
Ancient Egyptians bathed in it, Aristocrats drank it, authors and playwrights
used it as a theme and modern humanity transfuses it. As the first blood group
antigen system recognized in 1900, was ABO, it is the most important in
transfusion medicine. The major blood groups of this system are A, AB, B and O
(O’Donell and Laffan, 2011).
The A and B antigens are expressed on the red blood
cells (RBCs) and these antigens are inherited co-dominantly over O. These
antigens are complex oligosaccharides that differ in their terminal sugars in
order to avoid danger of mismatched blood transfusion (Nwauche and Ejele, 2008).
cells (RBCs) and these antigens are inherited co-dominantly over O. These
antigens are complex oligosaccharides that differ in their terminal sugars in
order to avoid danger of mismatched blood transfusion (Nwauche and Ejele, 2008).
