Blood Groups

Practical No 4 Determination of Blood Groups
A. Introduction
 On the surface of red cells, a series of glycoproteins and glycolipids are

found that act as blood antigens.
 More than 100 blood antigens have been described, out of which at least
15 well-defined RBC group systems exist in most racial groups.
 Of these, only two are of major importance in clinical medicine:
1. ABO and 2. Rhesus (Rh) systems
 The ABO System

 It depends on whether the red cells of an individual contain one, both
or neither of the two blood group antigens A and B.
 Therefore; there are four main ABO groups

 If A is present the blood group is called A
 If B is present the blood group is called B
 If both A and B are present the blood group is AB
 If neither antigen is present the group is called O
Group
Location
O A B AB
Worldwide 47 % 41 % 9% 3%
KSA 52 % 26 % 18 % 4%
Percentages of different ABO blood groups
17
 The plasma may contain antibodies against the A and B antigens,
that called anti-A antibodies and anti-B antibodies
 The presence of antibodies is reciprocal of the antigen.
 Plasma of group A contains anti-B antibodies
 Plasma of group B contains anti-A antibodies
 Plasma of group AB contains no antibodies
 Plasma of group O contains both anti-A and anti-B antibodies
 The Rhesus ( Rh ) blood group system ( Antigen D )

 It depends on the presence or absence of the rhesus antigen (antigen
D) on the surface of the RBCs.
ve
 If Antigen D is present, the individual is said to be positive (+ )
ve
 if Antigen D is absent, the individual is said to be negative (- )
 About 85% of Europeans and 90 – 95% of Arabs are positive 
18
B. Principle
 In order to determine the blood group of a subject, the red cells are
allowed to react with sera containing known agglutinins (antibodies) and
note the clumping (agglutination) of RBCs when occur.
C. Apparatus and reagents

1. Gloves, Alcohol Swab, lancet & Cotton
2. Cavity slides (with four cavities)
3. i. Anti-A serum (containing anti A antibodies)

ii. Anti-B serum (containing anti B antibodies)
iii. Anti-D serum (containing anti D antibodies)
4. Glass rods
D. Procedure
1- Blood: - Prick your colleague’s finger and place a small drop of blood in 1st,
2nd, and 4th, cavities of the slide.
2- Antibodies: -
First, add two drops of anti A serum to the 1st cavity
(it will react only with (A) antigens if they are present in the blood)
Second, add two drops of anti B serum to the 2nd cavity

(it will react only with (B) antigens if they are present in the blood)
Third, add two drops anti D serum to the 4th cavity

(it will react only with (D) antigens if they are present in the blood).
3- Nix the blood and antiserum on each cavity using three different glass rods.
19
E. Observations and results
1- If any clumping and agglutination has occurred, it is usually visible with the
naked eye as dark reddish clumps of different sizes due to hemolysis of RBCs
(if the number of RBCs is very high, they may simply give an impression of
agglutination, that is why microscopic confirmation is essential).
2- If there is no agglutination, the red cells appeared grouped together in
masses but without any clumping or Hb liberation.
F. Result
My blood group is __________________________________________________________
Dr. Amir Elhadi

Sig _______________ Date ____________
20
☻ Review questions:
1. What are blood group-specific substances? Are they present in RBCs only?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2. What is meant by a 'universal' donor and 'universal' recipient?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3. Can O+ve be given to a person of any other blood group?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
4. Should a Rh-ve female be given Rh+ve blood transfusion at any age before
menopause? Explain your reasons.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
21

Blood Groups

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Blood Groups

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Blood Groups

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Practical No 4 Determination of Blood Groups

 On the surface of red cells, a series of glycoproteins and glycolipids are

 The ABO System

 Therefore; there are four main ABO groups

 The Rhesus ( Rh ) blood group system ( Antigen D )

C. Apparatus and reagents

2. Cavity slides (with four cavities)

3. i. Anti-A serum (containing anti A antibodies)

Second, add two drops of anti B serum to the 2nd cavity

Third, add two drops anti D serum to the 4th cavity

agglutination, that is why microscopic confirmation is essential).

2- If there is no agglutination, the red cells appeared grouped together in

masses but without any clumping or Hb liberation.

Dr. Amir Elhadi

2. What is meant by a 'universal' donor and 'universal' recipient?

3. Can O+ve be given to a person of any other blood group?

You might also like