Blood Groups and Typing
Blood transfusions were not possible until Karl Landsteiner first identified the major human blood groups -- namely O, A, B, and AB -- in a series of experiments in 1901 that earned him the Nobel Prize. (At the time, Landsteiner identified only groups A, B, and O; further analysis, two years later, revealed AB.)The ABO blood groups are defined by specific inherited molecules, or antigens, that are present on the surface of red blood cells. Thus, one inherits either A or B antigens (group A or B), both A and B antigens (group AB), or neither antigen (group O). Conversely, a person develops a natural immunity, or antibody, in their plasma to the ABO antigens that are absent on their own red cells. Thus, a group A person has anti-B antibodies, and group O person has both anti-A and anti-B antibodies.
If group A red cells are mistakenly transfused to a group O recipient, for example, the anti-A antibody in the recipient's plasma destroys the transfused group A cells and a serious transfusion reaction occurs. Because group O has anti-A as well as anti-B antibodies, group O recipients can only accept blood from group O donors. Conversely, group AB recipients can receive blood from all groups.
What Blood Type Can Donate Blood to Me?
Blood chart with respect to donors and receivers
Blood chart with respect to donors and receivers
B L O O D T Y P E | ||||||||
Can Receive | Can Donate | |||||||
Donors | O- | O+ | B- | B+ | A- | A+ | AB- | AB+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AB+ |  | | | | | | |  |
AB- | |  | | | | | | |
A+ | | | | | | | | |
A- | | | | | | | | |
B+ | | | | | | | | |
B- | | | | | | | | |
O+ | | | | | | | | |
O- | | | | | | | | |
NOTE: Distribution is different for every racial and ethnic group. Keys: Can Donate Can't Same Groups
Can't Same Groups
