Transfusioonitüüp

Transfusioonitüüp refers to the compatibility of blood types between a donor and a recipient in blood transfusions. The most significant blood group systems are ABO and Rh. Within the ABO system, individuals have blood types A, B, AB, or O. These types are determined by the presence or absence of specific antigens on the surface of red blood cells. Antibodies to the "foreign" antigens are present in the plasma. For example, a person with type A blood has A antigens and anti-B antibodies, while a person with type O blood has neither A nor B antigens but possesses both anti-A and anti-B antibodies.

The Rh factor, also known as the RhD antigen, is another crucial determinant of transfusion compatibility. Individuals are either Rh-positive (RhD antigen present) or Rh-negative (RhD antigen absent). Transfusing Rh-positive blood to an Rh-negative recipient can lead to sensitization, where the recipient develops antibodies against the RhD antigen. This can cause serious transfusion reactions in subsequent transfusions or complications during pregnancy.

Blood transfusions are typically performed using type O negative red blood cells as the universal donor, as they lack both A, B, and RhD antigens, making them compatible with most recipients in emergencies. Conversely, AB positive individuals are considered universal recipients for red blood cells because they lack both anti-A, anti-B, and anti-RhD antibodies. Proper typing and crossmatching of donor and recipient blood are essential to prevent hemolytic transfusion reactions, a potentially life-threatening complication.