Blood Group Test: Types, Procedure, Price, Precautions and FAQs

Human red blood cells (RBC) that contain blood-type antigens can trigger immunological antibodies that can lead to immune-mediated hemolysis. In other words, blood transfusion patients must undergo blood type antigen testing to survive. Blood Group Testing is an important part of the Body Fluids and Circulation Chapter class 11th Biology. Being part of Human Physiology it carries good weightage in entrance exams like NEET, Paramedical and Pharmacy.

What is Blood Group Testing?

Red, white, and platelet blood cells all make up a human blood cell. All of these blood cells are crucial for regulation, protection, and movement. Our red blood cells, or erythrocytes, have antigens and antibodies on their surface that play a significant role in determining which blood group we belong to. A blood transfusion from the incorrect blood type might be fatal.

A, B, AB, and O are the four main blood types. In 1901, Austrian immunologist and biologist Karl Landsteiner made the discovery of the blood grouping system.

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Preparation and Accessibility

The only prerequisite for a blood group test is the collection of a blood sample. Any diagnostic facility will have a laboratory set up to do the test on this material. Still, it is always wiser to seek advice from a reputable and well-established company. Apollo Diagnostics guarantees accurate testing and prompt, reliable findings. The earlier this fundamental test is completed, the better, as a lot depends on it.

Aim of Blood Group Testing

The primary goals of this experiment are to identify our blood type and blood group and to comprehend the fundamental principles of the ABO blood group system.

Supplies needed:

• Toothpicks

• Blood specimen

• Swabs for alcohol

• Lancet

• Scrub a glass slide

• Sanitised cotton swabs

• Disposal container for biohazards

• Monoclonal agglutinins (Anti-A, B, and D)

The Procedure of Blood Group Testing

• Draw three circles on a piece of clean glass.

• The Monoclonal Antibodies (MAB) kit should be opened. With the use of a dropper, add Anti-A to the first circle, Anti-B to the second, and Anti-D to the third.

• Place the slide carefully and discretely aside.

• The alcohol swabs should now be used to gently touch the ring finger close to the fingertip, which is where the blood sample will be taken.

• With the lancet, they pricked the ring fingertip and wiped away the first blood drop.

• Allow the blood to drip onto the three glass slide circles as it begins to ooze out by gently pressing the fingertip.

• Put pressure on the place where it was penetrated to stop the blood flow. Use the cotton ball if necessary.

• Using a toothpick to gently stir the blood sample, wait a minute to see the outcome.

Blood Type Testing

It is possible to determine your blood type by blood typing. Blood transfusions and blood donations can be made without risk if you have had your blood typed. Additionally, it checks to determine if your red blood cells have something called Rh factor on their surface.

The presence or absence of specific proteins in your red blood cells determines your blood type. Antigens are the name for these proteins. Your blood type (or blood group) is determined by the blood types you inherited from your parents.

According to the ABO blood typing system, blood is frequently categorised. There are four main blood types:

• Type A

• Type B

• Type AB

• Type O

Significance of Blood Typing

Before blood donations and transfusions, it is crucial to confirm compatibility because these substances cause the body to respond with immunological responses. For example, the recipient's body will reject the transfusion if the blood of type A is given to someone of blood group B because it will recognise the A-type antigens as foreign substances. Unlike group O, which can only accept the blood of type O, group AB includes and recognises both types of antigens, allowing it to receive blood of any kind.

What are the Components of Blood?

All blood consists of the same fundamental elements:

• Red blood cells which carry oxygen

• White blood cells which fight infections

• Platelets which aid in blood clotting

• The liquid part of blood is called plasma.

The blood types of different people vary, though.

What are the Blood Types?

Blood is categorised by type to assist in minimising adverse reactions when someone receives a blood transfusion. On the surface of red blood cells are markers that identify the cell type. Our bodies employ these proteins and carbohydrates, also known as markers or antigens, to recognise the blood cells as being a part of us.

Rh and ABO are the two primary blood types.

Type A: A blood type marker A exists for this blood type.

Type B: A B-designated blood type marker is present.

Type AB: The indicators for this blood type are both A and B.

Type O: This blood type lacks the markers for both A and B.

Blood is further divided into "Rh positive" (meaning it has the Rh factor) and "Rh negative" categories (without the Rh factor).

The following eight blood types are available:

• O negative: This blood type lacks the A or B blood group markers as well as the Rh factor.

• O positive: This blood type does have the Rh factor but lacks the A or B markers. One of the two most prevalent blood types is O-positive blood (the other being A-positive).

• A negative: This blood type solely has an A marker.

• A positive: This blood type lacks the B marker but possesses the A marker and Rh factor. It is one of the two most prevalent blood types, along with O positive.

• B negative: This blood type exclusively has the B marker.

• B positive: This blood type lacks an A marker but does have a B marker and Rh factor.

• AB negative: A and B blood type markers are present, but the Rh factor is absent.

• AB positive: All three types of markers—A, B, and Rh factor—are present in this blood type.

How to Determine Your Blood Type?

ABO and Rh are the two blood groups that make up your blood type.

Your red blood cells' surface antigens determine your blood type. An antigen is a material that causes your body's immune system to react negatively to it.

ABO blood types are identified by the presence of particular antigens:

• An antigen is present in type A.

• Having the B antigen, type B

• The A and B antigens are present in type AB.

• Type O lacks the A and B antigens.

Once your ABO blood type has been established, the Rhesus (Rh) factor can be used to further define it:

• Rh-positive: You have Rh-positive blood if your red blood cells have the Rh antigens on their surface.

• Rh-negative: You have Rh-negative blood if your red blood cells don't bear the Rh antigens.

The eight most common blood types can be determined by taking the Rh factor into account: A+ or A-, B+ or B-, AB+ or AB-, and O+ or O-.

How to Find Out Blood Type at Home?

They typically ask you to prick your finger with a lancet and place droplets of your blood on a particular card for at-home blood type tests.

You can notice where the blood clusters or spreads after applying the blood to the card and then compare those observations to an included guide.

Instead of a card, some home testing kits come with vials of fluid for your blood.

Tips, Tricks, and Strategies for Blood Group Test

It takes effort to remember everything in a single go. We made the entire problem easy. Some of the tricks regarding the Blood Group Test are given below which you can use to memorise the important points.

ABO Blood Group System

"ABO: A, B, AB, O"

• A: Blood type A has A antigens on red blood cells and anti-B antibodies in plasma.

• B: Blood type B has B antigens on red blood cells and anti-A antibodies in plasma.

• AB: Blood type AB has both A and B antigens and no antibodies, making it a universal plasma donor.

• O: Blood type O has no antigens but both anti-A and anti-B antibodies, making it a universal blood donor.

Rh Factor

"PD: Positive, Negative"

• P: Positive (+) blood type has the Rh antigen on red blood cells.

• D: Negative (-) blood type lacks the Rh antigen.

Blood Compatibility

"DR: Donor, Recipient"

• D: The donor’s blood type must be compatible with the recipient's blood type.

• R: Rh-negative can only receive from Rh-negative, but Rh-positive can receive from both Rh-positive and Rh-negative.

Blood Group Testing Methods

"AAS: Antigens, Antibodies, Serum"

• A: Antigens on red blood cells are detected to determine ABO type.

• A: Antibodies in plasma are identified to check for compatibility.

• S: Serum or blood sample is mixed with known antibodies to check for agglutination (clumping), indicating blood type.

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