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Blood transfusion

In case of a blood transfusion, it is highly important to match the donated blood with the blood type of the patient. For this reason, ABO type and Rhesus (Rh) status must be taken into consideration when transferring blood to a patient. Receiving the wrong blood type leads to agglutination of the red blood cells and other immunological complications. This can be lethal for the patient.

Agglutination

Agglutination is the clumping of particles. The process of red blood cells agglutination is called hemagglutination.

Clots is a technical term but a different process to agglutination (clotting includes a clotting cascade fibrin and platelets whereas agglutination is usually an Antibody and antigen sticking together(e.g. agglutination).

Blood agglutination occurs when an antibody reacts with the specific antigen on the cell surface of red blood cells. For example, if blood from a donor with blood group A is given to a patient with blood group B, existing anti-A antibodies in the patient would bind to the A antigen on the donor's red blood cells. This causes agglutination or blood clotting in the patient's veins, which can be life-threatening. It is therefore absolutely essential to test every donor's and patient's blood group with a blood typing test before transfusion is carried out.

Compatibility

In the table below you have a summary of what types of blood can be received or donated among different blood types. According to the table, AB+ is the “universal receptor”, since they can receive any type of blood and O- is the “universal donor”, as they can donate their blood to any person without the risk for agglutination.

A table displaying blood type compatibility for receiving and donating blood, which explains these details: <say>Blood type 'A' positive can receive blood from 'A' positive, 'A' negative, O positive, and O negative. It can be donated to individuals with 'A' positive and AB positive. Blood type 'A' negative can receive blood from 'A' negative and O negative. It can be donated to individuals with 'A' positive, 'A' negative, AB positive, and AB negative.</say> <say>Blood type B positive can receive blood from B positive, B negative, O positive, and O negative. It can be donated to individuals with B positive and AB positive. Blood type B negative can receive blood from B negative and O negative. It can be donated to individuals with B positive, B negative, AB positive, and AB negative.</say> <say>Blood type AB positive can receive blood from all blood types: 'A' positive, 'A' negative, B positive, B negative, AB positive, AB negative, O positive, and O negative. It can only donate to individuals with AB positive. Blood type AB negative can receive blood from 'A' negative, B negative, AB negative, and O negative. It can be donated to individuals with AB positive and AB negative.</say> <say>Blood type O positive can receive blood from O positive, and O negative. It can be donated to individuals with 'A' positive, B positive, AB positive, and O positive. Blood type O negative can only receive blood from O negative. However, it can be donated to individuals with all blood types, making it the universal donor: 'A' positive, 'A' negative, B positive, B negative, AB positive, AB negative, O positive, and O negative</say>

Figure 1: A table of Blood type compatibility for receiving and donating blood

Referred from:

Article
Blood typing