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Blood Typing and Agglutination Lab Guide

The document discusses blood groups and types, focusing on the ABO system and the Rh factor, which classify blood based on antigens present on red blood cells. It explains the importance of blood typing and agglutination, as well as the procedure for determining blood type using specific serums. Additionally, it outlines the materials needed for the experiment and the significance of cross-matching in transfusion medicine.

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19 views5 pages

Blood Typing and Agglutination Lab Guide

The document discusses blood groups and types, focusing on the ABO system and the Rh factor, which classify blood based on antigens present on red blood cells. It explains the importance of blood typing and agglutination, as well as the procedure for determining blood type using specific serums. Additionally, it outlines the materials needed for the experiment and the significance of cross-matching in transfusion medicine.

Uploaded by

sabb.log2
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Lab Two Physiology

Blood groups and blood types


A blood type (also called a blood group) is a classification of blood based
on the presence or absence of inherited antigenic substances on the surface
of red blood cells (RBCs).
The ABO blood group is characterized by two glycolipid antigens, called
A and B – depending on whether the RBCs have none, only one or both
antigens, blood groups are distinguished as type O, type A, type B, or type
AB.

Agglutinins of ABO System


Blood plasma contains antibodies or agglutinins that react with non-self-
antigens.
They are absent in a newborn; the ABO antibodies start appearing in the
plasma by the age of 3–4 months due to cross reactivity of ABO antigens
present in naturally occurring bacteria, viruses, pollen, etc. present in the
environment.
These antigens are absorbed into blood and stimulate the formation of
antibodies against antigens not present in the infants’ red cells, i.e. those
antigens that are recognized as “non-self” by the body’s immune system.
Purpose of blood typing
Blood can only be given after blood grouping which is an essential
requirement before blood is given to any individual.
Lab Two Physiology

Agglutination
If someone receives blood of the wrong type, the worst problem is the
reaction of the recipient's antibodies on the donor's RBCs.
When the body encounters a foreign antigen, agglutination occurs.
Agglutination: is the clumping of RBCs due to binding of antibodies (part
of the immune system) to antigen, and causes blockage of blood vessels
and eventually death. In your blood, you have antibodies for the antigens
you don't have (see below).

Blood Groups
Lab Two Physiology

RH Factor
In addition to antigens of ABO system, the red cells of humans also contain
an additional antigen, called Rh antigen (or Rh factor).
There are several varieties of Rh antigen but the D antigen is the most
common, and antigenically, the most potent. Therefore, Rh +ve persons are
also called D +ve and Rh –ve are called D –ve .
Persons whose red cells contain this additional antigen are called “Rh
positive” ( Rh +) while those who lack this antigen are called “Rh negative”
(Rh –) .
However, there are no naturally occurring antibodies against Rh (D)
antigen .
The Rh (D) antigen is not present in body fluids and tissues, but only on
red cells.
Apparatus and Materials
1. Microscope.
2. Sterile blood lancet, Sterile cotton/ gauze swabs, alcohol.
3. Clean, dry microscope slides .
4. Anti-A serum: [contains monoclonal anti-A antibodies (against
human) .
5. Anti-B serum: [contains monoclonal anti-B antibodies (against
human) .
6. Anti-D (anti-Rh) serum: [Contains monoclonal anti-Rh (D)
antibodies (against human).

Clean your finger with alcohol and let dry.


Prick finger with lancet, near the tip but not too close to the nail.
You will need three fairly large drops of blood. Prick so that blood
flows freely. Try squeezing up from your wrist if blood does not
flow after pricking finger.
Use one slide for ABO typing and Rh factor. Place three drops of
blood on the slide, add the appropriate typing serum, and determine
your blood type. Be sure the serum dropper does not touch the drop
of blood. Results should be readable in about a minute.
Lab Two Physiology

Observations and Results


It is essential that you should be able to distinguish between
“agglutination” and “no agglutination”. The features of each are:
If agglutination occurs, it is usually visible to the naked eye. The
hemolysed red cells appear as isolated (separate), dark-red masses
(clumps) of different sizes and shapes. There is brick-red coloring of the
serum by the hemoglobin released from ruptured red cells.
What is cross matching?
In transfusion medicine, refers to the test that is performed prior to a blood
transfusion in order to determine if the donor's blood is compatible with
the blood of an intended recipient.
Cross-matching is also used to determine compatibility between a donor
and recipient, in organ transplantation or blood transfusion.
Lab Two Physiology

Names of the students: Date---------- Group--------

Name of the experiment:

Aim of the experiment:

Materials:

Procedure:
1- Clean your finger with alcohol and let dry.
2- Prick finger with lancet, near the tip but not too close to the nail.
You will need three fairly large drops of blood. Prick so that blood
flows freely. Try squeezing up from your wrist if blood does not
flow after pricking finger.
3- Use one slide for ABO typing and Rh factor. Place three drops of
blood on the slide, add the appropriate typing serum, and determine
your blood type. Be sure the serum dropper does not touch the drop
of blood. Results should be readable in about a minute.

Result: put + or –
Anti- A Anti- B Anti- D

Blood type:

Discussion:

Common questions

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Cross-matching in transfusion medicine tests compatibility between donor and recipient's blood. It ensures recipient safety by mixing donor red cells with recipient serum to check for agglutination, indicating potential immune reaction. This procedure helps prevent transfusion reactions and is crucial when antigens other than ABO and Rh need to be considered .

Agglutination signifies a reaction between antibodies and foreign antigens on red blood cells. In blood typing, agglutination indicates the presence of specific antigens, helping determine blood type. During a transfusion, agglutination of donor cells by recipient antibodies can block vessels, leading to severe transfusion reactions, making agglutination a critical factor in blood compatibility assessments .

To identify an individual's blood type and Rh factor, a finger is pricked, and drops of blood are placed on a slide with added anti-A, anti-B, and anti-D serums. Observations of agglutination indicate the presence of corresponding antigens: agglutination with anti-A serum indicates type A blood, anti-B for type B, and anti-D indicates Rh positive status. No agglutination signifies absence of the relevant antigen .

The main types of antigens present on red blood cells that determine an individual's blood group are the A and B glycolipid antigens in the ABO blood group system and the Rh antigen, particularly the D antigen, in the Rh blood group system .

Environmental exposure influences antibody development in the ABO system by introducing antigens similar to blood group antigens through bacteria, viruses, and pollen. These antigens stimulate immune response, leading to the production of antibodies against non-self ABO antigens, a process absent at birth but beginning around 3-4 months of age .

It is essential to determine both ABO blood type and Rh factor before a blood transfusion to ensure compatibility between donor and recipient, preventing immune reactions. If blood with incompatible ABO antigens is transfused, it can lead to agglutination, which blocks blood vessels and can be fatal . Additionally, if an Rh-negative person receives Rh-positive blood, it can lead to sensitization and serious reactions in future transfusions .

It is important that the serum dropper does not touch the blood drop to avoid contamination and ensure accurate results. Contact can contaminate the serum with blood, potentially altering its composition or causing false agglutination due to non-specific reactions. This could mislead the determination of blood type, leading to errors in typing and transfusion compatibility .

If a non-Rh-negative individual erroneously receives Rh-positive blood, it can lead to sensitization where the recipient's immune system is stimulated to produce antibodies against Rh antigen. This can cause hemolytic reactions, destroy transfused red cells, and complicate future transfusions or pregnancies involving Rh-positive blood .

Antibodies in blood plasma are responsible for blood transfusion reactions by binding to non-self antigens on transfused red blood cells, causing agglutination. In newborns, these antibodies are initially absent but start appearing by 3 to 4 months due to environmental exposure to antigens similar to ABO blood group antigens in bacteria, viruses, and pollen .

Unlike the ABO system, there are no naturally occurring antibodies against the Rh (D) antigen because it is only present on red blood cells and not in body fluids or other tissues, limiting natural exposure. Therefore, Rh antibodies develop only after exposure through transfusion or pregnancy .

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