29: BLOOD TYPING
- Page ID
- 157099
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- Differentiate between the four ABO blood groups based on the presence or absence of specific antigens and antibodies.
- Record and interpret agglutination patterns to determine an individual’s ABO and Rh blood type.
BACKGROUND
The human immune system has many ways of responding to infection. One important defense is the production of proteins called antibodies (protective proteins made by the immune system that recognize and neutralize harmful substances). Antibodies are highly specific to the infectious agent they target. They help stop infections from spreading and assist the body in removing bacteria or viruses.
Antibodies can also recognize and destroy “foreign” cells such as tumor cells. Each antibody binds tightly to only one type of foreign structure, known as an antigen (a molecule that triggers an immune response). Some antigens are found on the surface of red blood cells. This antibody–antigen interaction is the basis for identifying blood types, which is especially important when preparing for a blood transfusion.
The major blood group system in humans is the ABO system. A person’s blood type is determined by the presence or absence of two antigens on the surface of red blood cells: Antigen A and Antigen B. There are four possible blood types:
- Type A (has A antigens; produces B antibodies)
- Type B (has B antigens; produces A antibodies)
- Type AB (has both A and B antigens; produces no A or B antibodies)
- Type O (has neither antigen; produces both A and anti-B antibodies)
In addition to the ABO system, red blood cells may also have another marker called the Rhesus (Rh) antigen. If present, the person is considered Rh positive; if absent, Rh negative. Combining ABO and Rh results, there are eight possible human blood types. Type O negative is called the “universal donor” because it can be given safely to anyone, while Type AB positive is the “universal recipient” because people with this blood type can receive blood from any donor.
Blood typing is performed using antibody reagents that react with A, B, and Rh antigens. To test, three drops of blood are placed on a microscope slide. A drop of anti-A serum is added to one, anti-B to the second, and anti-Rh to the third. The slide is gently rotated and observed for clumping, called agglutination (clumping of red blood cells caused by antibodies binding to their specific antigens). The pattern of agglutination indicates the blood type. For example, if clumping is seen with anti-B and anti-Rh but not anti-A, the person’s blood type is B positive.
Interestingly, the antibodies against A and B antigens are unusual. Unlike most antibodies, which are produced only after exposure to a foreign antigen, anti-A and anti-B antibodies are produced naturally—likely because of exposure to bacterial antigens in the gut that resemble blood group antigens. This “accidental training” of the immune system explains why a person can have antibodies against blood types they have never been directly exposed to. For example, a person with Type A blood naturally makes anti-B antibodies even without ever receiving Type B blood.
The Rh factor plays a particularly important role in pregnancy. If an Rh-negative mother is carrying an Rh-positive fetus, her immune system may recognize the fetus’s red blood cells as foreign and begin producing anti-Rh antibodies. This condition, called hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN), can cause anemia, jaundice, or even life-threatening complications for the baby. Fortunately, modern medicine can prevent this reaction by giving Rh-negative mothers a special injection (Rh immune globulin, commonly known as RhoGAM) during pregnancy and after delivery. This treatment stops the mother’s immune system from making harmful antibodies and protects future pregnancies.
Receiving the wrong blood type during a transfusion can also cause serious complications. If the donor blood contains antigens that the recipient’s antibodies recognize as foreign, the antibodies will immediately attack the transfused red blood cells. This reaction, known as a hemolytic transfusion reaction, can cause rapid destruction of the donor cells, releasing hemoglobin into the bloodstream. Symptoms may include fever, chills, chest or back pain, difficulty breathing, and dark-colored urine. In severe cases, the reaction can lead to shock, kidney failure, or even death. Because of these risks, careful blood typing and cross-matching are always performed before transfusions.
MATERIALS (Per Group of 4)
4 Patient synthetic blood samples – one per student
12 Toothpicks (3 per student)
4 test plates (1 per student)
1 Anti-Rh serum bottle
1 Anti-A serum bottle
1 Anti-B serum bottle
METHODS/PROCEDURES
1. Label the wells on your test plate as shown in the diagram below.
2. Place a few drops of the patient’s blood sample into each well of the plate. Replace the cap right away to prevent cross-contamination.
3. Add a few drops of anti-A serum (A Antibody) to the well labeled A, then replace the cap.
4. Add a few drops of anti-B serum (B Antibody) to the well labeled B, then replace the cap.
5. Add one drop of synthetic anti-Rh serum (Rh Antibody) to the well labeled Rh, then replace the cap.
6. Using a separate clean toothpick for each well, gently stir the contents for about 30 seconds. Discard the toothpick after each use.
7. Examine the liquid in each well for agglutination (clumping).
8. Record your observations in the results section.
*If the liquid remains smooth and uniform, no agglutination has occurred.
*If the liquid appears clumpy or granular, agglutination is present.
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Exercise 31 Blood Typing
NAME ______________________
EXPECTATIONS
Which blood type should show agglutination in all three wells (anti-A, anti-B, and anti-Rh)? Explain your reasoning.
RESULTS
CONCLUSIONS
1. If your patient needed a blood transfusion what blood type(s) could they safely receive? Explain why.
2. If a person with Type AB negative blood needs a transfusion, which blood type(s) could they safely receive? Explain why.
3. Explain what would happen if type B positive blood was transfused into a person with type A blood.
4. Explain the concept of “universal donor” and “universal recipient”. Be sure to include what the blood types are of each type of donor.
5. Explain why a person with type A blood has type B antibodies even though they have never been exposed to type B blood.
Attributions: