Blood Groups and Red Cell Antigens is a guide to the differences in our blood types that complicate blood transfusions and pregnancy. It accompanies the dbRBC, a new NCBI resource that contains clinical and DNA data about human red blood cells.

Contents

• Preface
• About the Author
• Acknowledgments
• 1. Blood and the cells it contains
  • Blood contains cells, proteins, and sugars
  • Red blood cells transport oxygen
  • White blood cells are part of the immune response
  • Platelets help blood to clot
  • Your complete blood count
  • Hemoglobin binds oxygen
  • Resources
• 2. Blood group antigens are surface markers on the red blood cell membrane
  • Antigens stimulate an immune response
  • Red blood cell antigens can be sugars or proteins
  • Red blood cell antigens determine your blood group
  • Blood groups differ around the world
  • The classification of blood cell antigens
  • References
• 3. Blood transfusions and the immune system
  • How to launch an immune response against transfused red blood cells
  • "Blood type and cross match"
  • Transfusion reactions: Immune-mediated
  • Transfusion reactions: Non-immune
• 4. Hemolytic disease of the newborn
  • Maternal antibodies cross the placenta and attack fetal red blood cells
  • Sensitization occurs during the first pregnancy
  • HDN occurs in subsequent pregnancies
  • The Coombs test detects Rh incompatibility between mother and fetus
  • Preventing HDN
  • References
• 5. The ABO blood group
  • At a glance
  • Background information
  • Basic biochemistry
  • Clinical significance of ABO antibodies
  • Molecular information
  • References
• 6. The Hh blood group
  • At a glance
  • Background information
  • Basic biochemistry
  • Clinical significance of H antibodies
  • Molecular information
  • References
• 7. The Rh blood group
  • At a glance
  • Background information
  • Basic biochemistry
  • Clinical significance of Rh antibodies
  • Molecular information
  • References
• 8. The Kell blood group
  • At a glance
  • Background information
  • Basic biochemistry
  • Clinical significance of Kell antibodies
  • Molecular information
  • References
• 9. The Duffy blood group
  • At a glance
  • Background information
  • Basic biochemistry
  • Clinical significance of Duffy antibodies
  • Molecular information
  • References
• 10. The Kidd blood group
  • At a glance
  • Background information
  • Basic biochemistry
  • Clinical significance of Kidd antibodies
  • Molecular information
  • References
• 11. The Diego blood group
  • At a glance
  • Background information
  • Basic biochemistry
  • Clinical significance of Diego antibodies
  • Molecular information
  • References
• 12. The MNS blood group
  • At a glance
  • Background information
  • Basic biochemistry
  • Clinical significance of MNS antibodies
  • Molecular information
  • References

Copy Editor: Belinda Beck; Graphic Design: Todd Groesbeck.