A, B, AB, and O are the 4 major blood types. The types are based on small substances (molecules) on the surface of the blood cells.
When people who have one blood type receive blood from someone with a different blood type, it may cause their immune system to react. This is called ABO incompatibility.
Due to modern testing techniques, this problem is very rare.
Transfusion reaction - hemolytic; Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction; AHTR; Blood incompatibility - ABO
The different blood types are:
People who have one blood type may form proteins (antibodies) that cause their immune system to react against one or more of the other blood types.
Being exposed to another type of blood can cause a reaction. This is important when someone needs to receive a blood transfusion or have an organ transplant. The blood types must be compatible to avoid an ABO incompatibility reaction.
For example:
Type O blood does not cause an immune response when it is given to people with type A, type B, or type AB blood. This is why type O blood cells can be given to people of any blood type. People with type O blood are called universal donors. But people with type O can only receive type O blood.
Both blood and plasma transfusions must be matched to avoid an immune reaction. Before anyone receives blood, both the blood and the person receiving it are tested carefully to avoid a reaction. Usually, a reaction occurs because of a clerical error causing someone to receive incompatible blood.
The following are symptoms of ABO incompatible transfusion reactions:
In case of any reaction, transfusion should be stopped immediately. Treatment may also include:
Yoshihiko Watarai practices in Nagoya, Japan. Watarai is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of ABO Incompatibility. He is also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are ABO Incompatibility, Chronic Antibody-Mediated Rejection, Cytomegalic Inclusion Disease, Kidney Transplant, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.
Shunji Narumi practices in Nagoya, Japan. Narumi is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of ABO Incompatibility. They are also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. Their top areas of expertise are ABO Incompatibility, Chronic Antibody-Mediated Rejection, Hyperparathyroidism, Kidney Transplant, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.
Dong-hwan Jung practices in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Jung is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of ABO Incompatibility. They are also highly rated in 23 other conditions, according to our data. Their top areas of expertise are ABO Incompatibility, Liver Cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer), Liver Transplant, and Endoscopy.
ABO incompatibility can be a very serious problem that can result in death. With the right and timely treatment, a full recovery is expected.
Complications that may result include:
Contact your provider if you have recently had a blood transfusion or transplant and you have symptoms of ABO incompatibility.
Careful testing of donor and recipient blood types before transfusion or transplant can prevent this problem.
Summary: Blood group A2 to blood group O kidney and liver transplants have been shown to be safe and successful, especially in recipients with low pre-operative anti-A antibody titers and with the use of peri-operative antibody-depleting therapies. Since blood group O lung transplant candidates tend to have longer wait times and a higher waitlist mortality compared to other blood groups, we propose to cond...
Published Date: April 29, 2022
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Kaide CG, Thompson LR. Transfusion therapy: blood and blood products. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 28.
Manis JP. Blood components, product modifications, and blood donor screening. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham CAD, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2023:chap 91.
Nester T. Blood component therapy and transfusion reactions. In: Kellerman RD, Rakel DP, eds. Conn's Current Therapy 2022. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:408-415.