Question 2

College Answer

There was a reasonable knowledge of the basics of ABO antigens and antibodies by most
candidates. However, many answers seemed to lack perspective of the steps performed in the
laboratory to improve immunological safety of transfusion. For a good answer it was expected that
candidates also discuss the basis to serological testing and antibody screening.
Syllabus: J2a, J2a2i
References: Guyton Textbook of Physiology Chp 32 and 35, Australian Red cross Transfusion
Medicine manual

Discussion

• Blood group is defined by the antigens found on the surface of red cells
  • Numerous antigen molecules exist, of which A, B and the Rhesus antigens are the most common
  • A and B are carbohydrate (oligosaccharide) molecules on the glycocalyx of red cells
  • The presence of the antigen identifies the blood group, i.e. the patient with the AB blood group has A and B antigens on the surface of their red cells
  • Antibodies (IgM) to the other antigens usually develop in the first months of life
  • O, A, B and AB are phenotypes. 
  • An "O" phenotype indicates that the red cells have neither A nor B antigens.

    Group	Antigens	Antibodies	Can receive blood from:	Can donate blood to:
    A	A	Anti-B	A and O	A and AB
    B	B	Anti-A	B and O	B and AB
    AB	A and B	None	Everybody	AB
    O	None	Anti-A and Anti-B	Only O	Everybody

• The presence of blood groups in the general population:
  • O group: 49% of the population
  • A group: 38% of the population
  • B group: 10% of the population
  • AB group: 3% of the population
  • 85% of the population is Rh-positive
• Laboratory determination of ABO grouping:
  • Forward grouping: patient RBCS mixed with known anti-A and anti-B antibodies
  • Reverse grouping:  patient's plasma is mixed with known Type A or Type B red cells
  • Both must agree to formally identify the blood group
• Compatibility testing:
  • Determines compatibility for tranfusion by directly testing donor and recipient samples
  • Saline agglutination: looks for anti-ABO IgM in the blood of the recipient.
    • Immediate-spin crossmatch: patient serum and donor red cells are centrifguged for 10 minutes and checked for agglutination
  • Indirect antiglobulin test: looks for clinically significant IgG antibodies.
    • Patient's plasma is  incubated together with the donor red cells

Pourazar, Abbasali. "Red cell antigens: Structure and function." Asian journal of transfusion science 1.1 (2007): 24.

Daniels, G. "Structure and function of red cell surface antigens." ISBT Science Series 1.1 (2006): 3-8.

Pawlak, Z., and M. Lopez. "Development of antigens ABH and Ii in children between 0 to 16 years old." Revue francaise de transfusion et immuno-hematologie 22.3 (1979): 253-263.

Berg, J.M., Tymoczko, J.L. & Stryer, L. (2007). Biochemistry, 6th Ed. (p. 315). New York, NY: W.H. Freeman

ANZSBT: GUIDELINES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF BLOOD PRODUCTS (2018)

British Committee for Standards in Haematology, et al. "Guidelines for pre‐transfusion compatibility procedures in blood transfusion laboratories." Transfusion Medicine 23.1 (2013): 3-35.