Subgroups in the ABO blood group system
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/hscr.v39i2.269383Keywords:
ABO Blood group, ABO subgroups, Blood group testing, Blood group phenotypesAbstract
ABO blood group system is the important blood group for determining in patients and donors before a blood transfusion. The ABO system is Mendelian inheritance in that ABO genes control the expression of ABO antigens on red blood cells and in body fluids for representation of ABO blood group. Although the ABO blood groups mainly consist of A, B, AB and O groups, there are subgroups in the ABO group, also known as ABO subgroups, whose structures or quantity of antigens are different from the main group. The subgroups including subgroups of A, subgroups of B and Bombay phenotype are able to be classified by serological testing. Determining avidity between ABH antigen on red blood cells and Anti-A, Anti-B, Anti-AB and Anti-H reagents is the first test for screening the subgroups. The second tests are determining Anti-A and Anti-B in serum and determining ABH antigen in body fluids such as saliva. The other tests for screening the subgroups include adsorption-elution techniques, pedigree analysis and molecular testing. The prevalence of subgroups demonstrates that the subgroups of A are frequently found more than subgroups of B and Bombay phenotype. On the other hand, some serological tests such as the tube method may miss the interpretation and result in ABO discrepancy instead of ABO subgroups. Therefore, basic knowledge of ABO subgroups is necessary in blood blank to accurately determine the blood group of patients before a blood transfusion.
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