The document provides a comprehensive overview of the ABO and Rh blood group systems, detailing their discovery, characteristics, and clinical relevance. It outlines the phenotypes of the ABO groups, the presence of antigens, and rules regarding blood transfusions, including the significance of the Rh factor. Additionally, it touches on the unique characteristics of the Bombay blood group and the rarity of its occurrence.

1. Prepared By: Vipin Kr Shukla
Assistant Lecturer
Blood Group Determination

2. ABO Blood Group:
 History:
 Dr. Karl Landsteiner's discovered the ABO
Blood Group System in 1901.
 He and five co-workers began mixing each
others red blood cells and serum together and
accidentally performed the first forward and
reverse ABO groupings.
 Landsteiner's Rule: If an antigen (Ag) is
present on a patients red blood cells the
corresponding antibody (Ab) will NOT be
present in the patients plasma, under ‘normal
conditions’.

3. The ABO Blood System:
 4 main phenotypes (A, B, AB, O)
 ABO gene located on long arm of chromosome 9.
 Antigens/Agglutinogens Type A and Type B on the surface
of the RBCs are the cause of blood transfusion reactions.
 Thus, the presence or absence of these Ag’s is the essential
basis that blood is grouped for the purpose of transfusion

11. ABO Markers:
 Preformed antibodies
called agglutinins in the
plasma is unique to the
ABO blood groups.

12. The Rh System:
 Discovered by Landsteiner & Wiener in
1937.
 Antigen discovered in the Rhesus monkey.
 Rh is an Ag on the RBC.
 Rh+ has the Ag (85% of the population).
 Rh- does NOT have the Rh antigens.
 Rh+ can accept Rh+ or Rh- blood.
 Rh- can accept ONLY Rh- blood.

13. RH Factor:
 There are 45 different types of Rh Agglutinogens.
 Common : C, D, and E
 ~ 85% of Americans are Rh positive, carrying the D
antigen.
 Presence of the Rh Agglutinogens on RBCs is indicated as
Rh+.
 As a rule, a person’s ABO and Rh blood groups are
reported together, for example, O+, A-, and so on.

14. RH Antigens:
 D antigen is the most common and most immunogenic
 Approximately 80-85% Caucasians have D antigen
 Individuals lacking this allele are called “Rh-negative”
 Only develop antibodies against the D antigen after
exposure (transfusion/pregnancy).

15. Rh Antibodies:
 IgG class of immunoglobulin's
 Lack capacity to bind complements

17. Characteristics of Bombay Blood Group:
 First reported by Bhende et al in Bombay in 1952.
 Frequency estimated to be about 1 in 7600 in Bombay.
 Absence of H, A & B antigens. No agglutination with anti-
A, anti-B or anti-H.
 Presence of anti-H, anti-A and anti-B in the serum
 No A, B or H substances present in saliva.
 Incompatible with any ABO blood groups, compatible with
Bombay phenotype only.

19. Microscopic Views:
BIRD BLOOD FISH BLOOD CAT
BLOOD
HORSE BLOOD
HUMAN BLOOD FROG
BLOOD