Blood transfusion immunology
Polyscacharide antigens of
blood groups
• Most important: ABO system.
• Antigens may be present in secretions and
on surface of many endothelial and epitelial
cells.
• H substance - is a core structure of ABO
antigens. Extremely rare are patients of
Bombay phenotype - no H substance is
present.
• Antibodies are of IgM isotype, they are
present even without antigen stimulation.
• Minor blood groups: Le/le (Lewis)
The Individualist: Antigen, ABH. Generative Medicine, http://www.generativemedicine.org/wiki/wiki.pl/ABH_Antigens
Proteine antigens of blood
groups
• The most important is Rh system
• Antibodies are of IgG isotype. They
develop only after antigenic stimulus.
• “Small“ protein blood groups: MN, Ss. Kell,
Duffy
Adverse reactions associated with
transfusion
• Hemolytic: headache, myalgia, nausea, fever.
Hemoglobin casts are responsible for kidney
failure. Shock may develop.
• Febrile – antibodies against minor blood groups.
• Allergic: urticaria, sometimes bronchospasm,
anaphylactic shock in the most severe cases.
• TRALI syndrome: dyspnoea, cough soon after
transfusion. Caused by thrombocyte aggregates in
the lungs.