Bloody Minded Episode 35 - The Other Resus | Introduction to Blood Groups
Feb 25, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of blood groups and their critical role in medical emergencies. Explore the complexities of the ABO and Rhesus systems, including intriguing conditions like the Bombay phenotype. The hosts share historical insights on blood typing and the importance of matching blood types. Learn about blood type frequencies and the relevance of universal donors. They also tackle genetic intricacies and common misconceptions related to blood compatibility, ensuring you grasp the essentials of this vital topic.
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Basics of Blood Groups
- Blood groups are systems of one or more antigens inherited together, expressed on red cell surfaces.
- This inheritance pattern allows blood groups to be classified into distinct categories like ABO and Rhesus.
Landsteiner's ABO Breakthrough
- Carl Landsteiner discovered the ABO blood group system after mixing human and animal blood in 1901.
- His findings explained why blood transfusions sometimes failed or caused lethal reactions.
ABO Antigens and Antibodies
- ABO blood types are determined by presence or absence of A and B carbohydrate antigens on red cells.
- Antibodies against A or B antigens exist naturally due to molecular mimicry by gut bacteria.