emocompatibilità

Emocompatibilità refers to the compatibility of blood components between a donor and a recipient. This is a critical factor in blood transfusions and organ transplantation to prevent adverse reactions. The primary system for determining blood compatibility is the ABO blood group system, which classifies blood based on the presence or absence of specific antigens on the surface of red blood cells. Individuals with type A blood have A antigens, type B have B antigens, type AB have both A and B antigens, and type O have neither. The body also produces antibodies against the antigens it lacks. For example, a person with type A blood has anti-B antibodies, and a person with type B blood has anti-A antibodies.

When blood types are incompatible, the recipient's antibodies can attack the donor's red blood cells, leading to a transfusion reaction. This can cause the red blood cells to clump together and break down, a process known as hemolysis. Such reactions can range from mild symptoms like fever and chills to severe and life-threatening complications, including kidney failure and shock. Therefore, careful cross-matching of blood types is essential before any transfusion.

Another crucial aspect of emocompatibility relates to the Rh factor, or Rhesus factor, which is another antigen found on red blood cells. People are either Rh-positive (having the antigen) or Rh-negative (lacking the antigen). Rh incompatibility can be particularly problematic during pregnancy if an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive fetus, potentially leading to hemolytic disease of the newborn. Beyond these major systems, other antigens on red blood cells and white blood cells also play a role in more complex compatibility assessments, especially in cases of repeated transfusions or transplantation.