Blood GroupsBlood GroupsAnatomy & Physiology/Cardiovascular SystemAnatomy & Physiology/Cardiovascular System

VocabularyVocabulary

• Antigen (agglutinogens)Antigen (agglutinogens) = = genetically determined proteins genetically determined proteins that mark each person’s blood that mark each person’s blood in a unique way.in a unique way.• If an antigen other than your If an antigen other than your

own enters your body, the body own enters your body, the body recognizes it as foreign and recognizes it as foreign and triggers the immune system to triggers the immune system to release antibodies against it.release antibodies against it.

vocabularyvocabulary

• Antibodies (agglutinins)Antibodies (agglutinins) = proteins contained = proteins contained in the blood plasma which identify foreign in the blood plasma which identify foreign antigens and alert the immune system.antigens and alert the immune system.• Once identified, antibodies bind to the foreign Once identified, antibodies bind to the foreign

blood cells and cause them to clump, a process blood cells and cause them to clump, a process called called agglutination.agglutination.

Blood transfusionBlood transfusion

• When blood vessels are broken, blood loss can lead When blood vessels are broken, blood loss can lead to weakness, shock and eventually death.to weakness, shock and eventually death.

• Loss of over 30% of a person’s total blood volume Loss of over 30% of a person’s total blood volume can be fatal unless treated with a whole blood can be fatal unless treated with a whole blood transfusion.transfusion.

• Whole blood transfusion is also used to treat Whole blood transfusion is also used to treat chronic health conditions such as anemia or chronic health conditions such as anemia or thrombocytopenia.thrombocytopenia.

• When giving a blood transfusion, it is essential to When giving a blood transfusion, it is essential to test the blood groups of both the donor and test the blood groups of both the donor and recipient.recipient.

human Blood groupshuman Blood groups

• There are over 30 There are over 30 common antigens common antigens found on human red found on human red blood cells.blood cells.

• However, the antigens However, the antigens of the ABO and Rh of the ABO and Rh blood groups cause blood groups cause the most severe the most severe transfusion reactions.transfusion reactions.

ABO Blood GroupABO Blood Group

• The ABO blood group is based on two The ABO blood group is based on two antigens: Antigen A and Antigen B.antigens: Antigen A and Antigen B.• Type A Blood = Presence of antigen AType A Blood = Presence of antigen A• Type B Blood = Presence of antigen BType B Blood = Presence of antigen B• Type AB Blood = Presence of antigens A and BType AB Blood = Presence of antigens A and B• Type O Blood = Neither antigen A or BType O Blood = Neither antigen A or B

• These antigens are genetically determined.These antigens are genetically determined.

• Antibodies are formed during infancy to Antibodies are formed during infancy to protect the body against antigens NOT protect the body against antigens NOT present in your own blood.present in your own blood.

ABO blood groupABO blood group

ABO blood groupABO blood group

• During a blood transfusion, only certain types of During a blood transfusion, only certain types of donor blood will be successfully transplanted in donor blood will be successfully transplanted in a recipient.a recipient.

• For example: a recipient with type A blood can For example: a recipient with type A blood can only receive a transfusion of type A OR type O only receive a transfusion of type A OR type O blood. If given type B blood, the anti-B blood. If given type B blood, the anti-B antibodies in the recipient’s plasma will attack antibodies in the recipient’s plasma will attack the A antigens causing agglutination.the A antigens causing agglutination.

• Agglutination causes blood cells to rupture, Agglutination causes blood cells to rupture, releasing hemoglobin into the blood stream releasing hemoglobin into the blood stream which often blocks kidney tubules and results in which often blocks kidney tubules and results in kidney failure.kidney failure.

Abo blood groupAbo blood group

• Universal DonorUniversal Donor: : Since Type O blood Since Type O blood does not contain any does not contain any antigens, anyone can antigens, anyone can receive this blood.receive this blood.

• Universal RecipientUniversal Recipient: : Since Type AB blood Since Type AB blood does not contain any does not contain any antibodies, it can antibodies, it can receive any type of receive any type of transfusion.transfusion.

Rh blood groupRh blood group

• Called Rh because one of the eight Rh antigens Called Rh because one of the eight Rh antigens was originally identified in Rhesus monkeys.was originally identified in Rhesus monkeys.• RhRh++ = blood cells contain Rh antigens = blood cells contain Rh antigens• RhRh-- = blood cells do not contain Rh antigens, = blood cells do not contain Rh antigens,

plasma has the potential to create anti-Rh plasma has the potential to create anti-Rh antibodies.antibodies.

• If an RhIf an Rh-- recipient receives an Rh recipient receives an Rh++ blood blood transfusion, shortly after the transfusion the transfusion, shortly after the transfusion the immune system begins making anti-Rh immune system begins making anti-Rh antibodies.antibodies.

• A second transfusion of RhA second transfusion of Rh++ blood will result in blood will result in agglutination.agglutination.

Rh blood and Rh blood and pregnancypregnancy

• Serious medical conditions can result if RhSerious medical conditions can result if Rh-- women become pregnant with Rhwomen become pregnant with Rh++ babies. babies.

• The first pregnancy usually results in a healthy The first pregnancy usually results in a healthy baby; however, during this time the baby’s Rhbaby; however, during this time the baby’s Rh++ antigens move through the placenta and trigger antigens move through the placenta and trigger the mother’s immune system to produce anti-the mother’s immune system to produce anti-Rh antibodies.Rh antibodies.

• If the mother has a second pregnancy with an If the mother has a second pregnancy with an RhRh++ baby, the mother’s anti-Rh antibodies will baby, the mother’s anti-Rh antibodies will attack and destroy the baby’s blood cells, attack and destroy the baby’s blood cells, resulting in brain damage and possibly death.resulting in brain damage and possibly death.

Rh blood and Rh blood and pregnancypregnancy

• If detected during the first pregnancy, the If detected during the first pregnancy, the mother can be treated with a medicine called mother can be treated with a medicine called RhoGAM, which will suppress her immune RhoGAM, which will suppress her immune response.response.