Description
RBC membranes contain a number of transport molecules on which blood group antigens are expressed, including an anion exchanger and a water channel protein. The ABO haptens are terminally located carbohydrate residues that are biosynthesised by blood group-specific glycosyltransferases encoded by the ABO locus on the long arm of chromosome 9. Depending on a person’s ABO blood group, preformed IgM anti-A and/or anti-B can be present in serum, constituting a major barrier against ABO-incompatible blood transfusions and organ transplantation. The Rh genes, which encode the most clinically important blood group antigens after ABO, encode proteins that are
likely to sub-serve a transport function.
Indications
In clinical transfusion medicine, ABO is the most important blood group system. The Rh antigens are of pivotal importance both to transfusion medicine and to obstetrics and neonatology; the D antigen is the most immunogenic of all the common blood group antigens, and anti-D is still the most common cause of haemolytic disease of the new-born, even well after the introduction of RhD immune globulin.
Sample Type, Quantity & Conditions
1 ml EDTA Whole Blood Room Temperature
Special Precautions
Abnormal plasma proteins, potent cold autoagglutinins, positive direct antiglobulin test, and (in some cases) bacteraemia may interfere with test interpretation.
Normal Range
No Reference Range