ABO BLOOD GROUP SYSTEM

Prepared by: Kassandra Mae Cedilla

 BLOOD TYPE ( BLOOD GROUP)
 Is a classification of blood based on the presence or absence of inherited
antigenic substances on the surface of red blood cells (rbc)
 These antigens may be proteins, carbohydrates, glycoproteins or glycolipids
depending on the blood group system
 Blood types are inherited and represent contributions from both parents.
 PRINCIPLE OF BLOOD GROUP

 Naturally occurring abs

-these abs termed naturally occurring because they were thought to
arise without antigenic stimulation.
- They are mostly IgM class. That means that, they are abs capable of
agglutinating saline/low protein suspended red cell without
enhancement and may activate complement cascade.
 ABO SYSTEM

 Is the most important blood group system in human-blood

transfusion. The associated anti-A and anti-B antibodies are usually”
immunoglobulin M” ( IgM antibodies).
 ABO IgM antibodies are produced in the first years of life by
sensitization to environmental substances such as food, bacteria
and viruses.
 Blood group antigens are actually sugars attached to the red blood
cell.
 H ANTIGEN

 The h gene codes for an enzyme that adds the sugar fucose to the
terminal sugar of a pre cursor substance (PS)
 The precursor substance ( proteins and lipids ) is formed on an
oligosaccharide chain ( basic structure)
 The h antigen is the foundation upon which a and b antigens are
built.
 A and b genes code for enzymes that add an immunodominant
sugar to the h antigen
 WHY DO GROUP O INDIVIDUALS HAVE
MORE H ANTIGEN THAN OTHER GROUPS?
 Group o individuals have no A or B genes to convert the H
antigen to A and B antigens. That means more h antigen sites
 BLOOD TRANSFUSION

 If a unit of incompatible blood is transfused between a donor and

recipient, a severe acute hemolytic reaction with hemolysis, rbc
destruction, renal failure and shock is likely to occur, and death is a
possibility.
 Antibodies can be highly active and can attach rbc’s and bind
components of the complement system to cause massive hemolysis of
the transfused blood.
 Cross-matching involves mixing a sample of the recipients serum with a
sample of the donors red blood cells and checking if the mixture
agglutinates or forms clumps.
 COMPATIBILITY ( BLOOD GROUP O)

 Or blood group zero in some countries individuals do not have

either A or B antigens on the surface of their rbcs, but heir blood
serum contains IgM anti- A antibodies and anti-b antibodies against
a and b blood group antigens.
 Therefore, a group o individual can receive blood only from a group
of o individual, but can donate blood to individuals of any abo blood
group
 WHY DON’T YOUR RBC PRODUCE THE
SAME TYPE OF ANTIBODIES?
 Your blood would start agglutinating.
 You produce “opposite” antibodies to recognize blood that
shouldn't be in your body
THANK YOU 