Blood Groups

Agglutinins And Agglutinogens

Introduction:
 A blood group is a classification of blood based on the presence or absence of
specific antigens on the surface of RBCs.

Classification:
The two main systems include:
 ABO System
 Rh factor
ABO Blood Group System:
 The ABO blood group system was first discovered and described in 1900 and
1901 by Karl Landsteiner. He divided red blood cells into three groups A, B
and O. The fourth group AB was discovered by two of Landsteiner’s pupils in
1902.
 There are four phenotypes in the ABO blood group system: A,B,AB and O.
Group A: the A antigen is present on the RBC surface.
Group B: the B antigen is present on the RBC surface.
Group AB: both A and B antigens are present on RBC surface.
Group O: neither antigen A or B is present on RBC surface.
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 Landsteiner’s rule: If the A or B antigen is not present on the surface of red
blood cells, the corresponding antibody will be found in the serum.
 For example, a person lacking the A antigen on the surface of their RBCs will
have anti-A antibody in their plasma or serum.
 Rh Blood Group System:
 The Rh factor, also known as the Rhesus factor, is a protein that can be
present on the surface of red blood cells. The history of Rh factor is linked to
the Rhesus monkey where this protein was first identified.
 In 1937, Karl Landsteiner and Alexander Weiner discovered the Rh factor
while studying blood samples from Rhesus Monkey. They found that some
individuals had this factor on their RBCs (Rh-positive), while others did not
(Rh-negative).
 Rh negative patients can only receive blood from Rh negative donors.
 Rh positive patients can receive blood either from Rh positive or Rh negative
donors.
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Universal Donor and Recipient

 Universal recipient and universal donor are terms used in regards to the
emergency transfusion of blood although one should always strive to give a
patient type specific blood
Universal donor- Group O, Rh negative.
 Group O blood can be easily transfused into a patient of any ABO group since
it does not have any A or B antigen on surface of RBC and will not react
patient’s A or B antibodies.
 Rh negative blood is used since that means it does not have D antigen ( Rh
factor) on RBCs surface and will not react with the D antibodies the patient
may have developed.
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Universal recipient: Group AB, Rh positive

 A patient with group AB, Rh positive blood can receive a blood transfusion of
any blood type and Rh as they don’t have any A, B or D antibodies.
Agglutinins and Agglutinogens:

Agglutinins: these are antibodies in the blood that cause clumping

(agglutination) of cells particularly in response to foreign substances such as
bacteria or mis-matched blood types during a transfusion. They play a vital role
in immune system defense mechanism.
Agglutinogens: these are antigens or substances that induce the formation of
agglutinins. Agglutinogens refer to the specific antigen on surface RBCs.S
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Agglutinogens:
 Blood type A: contains A agglutinogens
 Blood type B: contains B agglutinogens
 Blood type AB: contains A and B agglutinogens
 Blood type O: lacks both A and B agglutinogens
Agglutinins:
 Blood type A: contains anti-B agglutinins
 Blood type B: contains anti-A agglutinins
 Blood type AB: lacks both anti-A and anti-B agglutinins
 Blood type O: contains both anti-A and anti-B agglutins
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Agglutination:
 Agglutination is a biological process characterized by the clumping and
binding together of particles typically cells or microorganisms due to
interaction with antibodies.
 This phenomenon holds significant importance in the field of immunology and
blood compatibility.
Significance:
 Understanding the interaction between agglutinogens and agglutinins is
crucial during blood transfusion. Incompatible blood mixing can result in
agglutination leading to severe health complications.
 Ensuring compatibility based on presence or absence of agglutinogens and
corresponding agglutinins is essential for safe and effective blood transfusion.
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