Question

Part III – Blood Transfusion Reaction

“Ok, I get the part that we could have different blood types. So then, how come they couldn’t donate blood to me?” continued Kevin.

“Well, carbohydrates are located on the red blood cell surface; we call them antigens. Meanwhile, corresponding antibodies are created in the blood serum. Antibodies are specific proteins made in the body to bind and react with specific antigens. It’s like a key to a lock. One key can open one lock. One antibody can only react with one antigen. The antibodies won’t react with the body’s own antigen present on red blood cells, but will react with that

of incompatible blood from another person. This is part of your normal defense system called the immune response. Have you guys heard of it?”

“Yes,” said Kevin and Peter.

Ms. B continued, “Well, during a blood transfusion, if the donor’s and recipient’s blood are not compatible with each other, the recipient’s immune response will attack the donor’s blood cells and damage them. This is called a transfusion reaction.”

“Oh, that’s serious; I heard of that when I was hospitalized. What types of antibody does everyone have?” asked Kevin.

“Type A blood has antibody B which will react with type B red blood cells; type B blood has antibody A. Type AB blood contains neither antibody; and finally type O blood, which Kevin has, contains both antibodies A and B. Type O blood will react with both type A and type B blood. Since one of your parents is type A and the other is type B, neither of them can donate blood to you.”

“That’s a complicated system,” said Kevin. “But wait a minute, wouldn’t that be a problem while my mom was pregnant with me? I heard that a mother shares everything with her baby before it’s born.”

“Another good question. As a matter of fact, your mother’s blood cells would not cross the placenta so there was no problem. You are fine,” she said.

After their discussion with Ms B, the boys returned home. Mom welcomed Kevin at the door. “Hi, Kevin. You’re back. How did your test go?”

“Ok. I’m glad that I stayed at home last night. One of questions I studied was on today’s test,” said Kevin. “Great, I’m glad!” Mom’s eyes were full of happiness.

“What’s for dinner?” Kevin headed to the kitchen.

“Oh, today we are going to have your favorite, pasta with spicy meatballs, and …” said Mom.

Questions

1. What types of antibody are made by each ABO blood group?
2. What is a transfusion reaction?
3. If a patient has type A blood, what would be the donor’s blood type during blood transfusion: type A, type B, type AB, or type O? Why?
4. Some individuals are called universal donors for blood transfusions. What blood type would they be? Explain your answer in terms of antibodies and antigens.
5. Other individuals are called universal recipients for blood transfusions. What would be their blood type? Explain your answer in terms of antibodies and antigens.

Answer 1

1. What types of antibody are made by each ABO blood group?

The types of antibody are made by each ABO blood group are follows:

• group A individual will have anti-B antibodies
• and group B individual will have anti-A antibodies.
• Blood group O is common, Thus, individuals with O group will have both anti-A and anti-B antibodies in their serum.

2. What is a transfusion reaction

• Transfusion reaction is a serious complication which can happen after a blood transfusion. The reaction occurs when the red blood cells that have given during the transfusion are destroyed by the person's immune system. When red blood cells are destroyed, the process is called hemolysis. This reaction is also called  hemolytic transfusion reaction.

3. If a patient has type A blood, what would be the donor’s blood type during blood transfusion: type A, type B, type AB, or type O? Why?

• If you’re type A, your red blood cells have proteins attached to them known as A antigens. Type B blood cells carry B antigens. Type AB blood has both A and B antigens, and type O blood has neither A nor B antigens.
• Your immune system will produce antibodies against any blood antigens you don’t have in your own blood.
• A person with type A blood receiving a transfusion of type B or AB blood would have an ABO incompatibility reaction. In an ABO incompatibility reaction, your immune system attacks the new blood cells and destroys them. If you have type AB blood, you have both A and B antigens.

4. Some individuals are called universal donors for blood transfusions. What blood type would they be? Explain your answer in terms of antibodies and antigens.

• The reaseon behnd is, Individuals with the blood group O Rh negative are called “universal donors”. This is because their red blood cells can be transfused to people of all blood groups.
• Rh negative blood lacks the Rh antigens on the outside of the blood cells,
• Thus, there are no proteins for our immune system to react against.
• This lack of antigens makes clear that, type O negative blood can be transfused in individual of any blood type.
• Thus they are called as Universal blood donor.

5. Other individuals are called universal recipients for blood transfusions. What would be their blood type?

• Those with type AB Rh D positive blood are called universal recipients.

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