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Blood groups and transfusion
Research Guide
What is Blood groups and transfusion?
Blood groups and transfusion refers to the classification of human blood into variants such as ABO and Rh systems based on red blood cell antigens, and the clinical practice of transfusing compatible blood to treat conditions like anemia while avoiding alloimmunization and hemolytic reactions.
This field encompasses 85,351 published works examining blood group variants like ABO and Rh in relation to diseases including autoimmune hemolytic anemia, fetal anemia, COVID-19 susceptibility, and pancreatic cancer. Research also addresses alloimmunization risks and the role of RBC antigens in transfusion outcomes and disease susceptibility. Key areas include interactions with von Willebrand factor and broader hematologic conditions.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
ABO Blood Group Disease Associations
Research investigates ABO blood group polymorphisms and their associations with infectious diseases, cardiovascular risk, and cancer susceptibility. Studies employ GWAS to elucidate glycan-mediated mechanisms influencing pathogen binding and inflammation.
Rh Blood Group Alloimmunization
RhD alloimmunization research focuses on hemolytic disease of the fetus/newborn prevention via antenatal prophylaxis and monitoring. Researchers develop non-invasive fetal Rh genotyping and novel monoclonal anti-D therapies.
RBC Antigens Transfusion Reactions
Studies characterize minor RBC antigens (Kell, Duffy, Kidd) causing delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions and alloimmunization. Researchers develop extended genotyping panels and matching strategies for chronically transfused patients.
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Blood Groups
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) research examines blood group antigen involvement in warm/cold autoantibody specificity and treatment response. Studies correlate DAT patterns with underlying lymphoproliferative disorders.
von Willebrand Factor ABO Interactions
ABO blood group influences plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels and bleeding risk through glycosyltransferase-mediated clearance. Researchers study VWF-ABO interactions in thrombosis, aortic stenosis, and acquired VWD.
Why It Matters
Blood groups and transfusion directly influence patient safety in clinical settings, where mismatched transfusions can trigger alloimmunization or hemolytic anemia, complicating treatments for conditions like sickle cell anemia. For instance, "Effect of Hydroxyurea on the Frequency of Painful Crises in Sickle Cell Anemia" by Charache et al. (1995) demonstrated that hydroxyurea reduces painful crises in sickle cell anemia patients, who often require transfusions influenced by blood group compatibility. Similarly, studies link ABO blood groups to COVID-19 susceptibility and pancreatic cancer risk, guiding risk stratification in hematology and oncology. In immune thrombocytopenia, as detailed in "International consensus report on the investigation and management of primary immune thrombocytopenia" by Provan et al. (2009), understanding antigen-related immune responses informs transfusion strategies amid 85,351 works on these topics.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"Effect of Hydroxyurea on the Frequency of Painful Crises in Sickle Cell Anemia" by Charache et al. (1995), as it provides a clinical foundation for transfusion needs in sickle cell anemia, a condition central to blood group compatibility challenges.
Key Papers Explained
"Standardization of terminology, definitions and outcome criteria in immune thrombocytopenic purpura of adults and children" by Rodeghiero et al. (2008) establishes diagnostic frameworks relevant to antigen-driven immune responses, which "International consensus report on the investigation and management of primary immune thrombocytopenia" by Provan et al. (2009) builds upon with treatment guidelines incorporating transfusion considerations. "Sickle-cell disease" by Rees et al. (2010) extends this by detailing blood group roles in sickle cell management, linking to hydroxyurea effects in Charache et al. (1995). "SURFACE MARKERS ON HUMAN T AND B LYMPHOCYTES" by Jondal et al. (1972) provides early insights into lymphocyte markers influencing alloimmunization.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Current research within 85,351 works focuses on ABO locus effects in COVID-19 susceptibility and pancreatic cancer, alongside alloimmunization in fetal anemia, with no recent preprints or news indicating shifts in core methodologies.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monoclonal Antibody to 5-Bromo- and 5-Iododeoxyuridine: A New ... | 1982 | Science | 2.6K | ✕ |
| 2 | Standardization of terminology, definitions and outcome criter... | 2008 | Blood | 2.6K | ✓ |
| 3 | SURFACE MARKERS ON HUMAN T AND B LYMPHOCYTES | 1972 | The Journal of Experim... | 2.4K | ✓ |
| 4 | Effect of Hydroxyurea on the Frequency of Painful Crises in Si... | 1995 | New England Journal of... | 2.3K | ✓ |
| 5 | Genomic atlas of the human plasma proteome | 2018 | Nature | 2.3K | ✓ |
| 6 | Sickle-cell disease | 2010 | The Lancet | 2.2K | ✕ |
| 7 | International consensus report on the investigation and manage... | 2009 | Blood | 2.2K | ✓ |
| 8 | A dot-immunobinding assay for monoclonal and other antibodies | 1982 | Analytical Biochemistry | 2.2K | ✕ |
| 9 | Plasma diagnostic techniques | 2018 | Physics Subject Headin... | 2.0K | ✕ |
| 10 | SEROLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF AN ASSOCIATION OF A NOVEL CHLAMYDIA, T... | 1988 | The Lancet | 2.0K | ✕ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What role do ABO and Rh blood groups play in transfusion outcomes?
ABO and Rh blood groups determine red blood cell antigen compatibility, preventing alloimmunization during transfusions. Mismatches lead to hemolytic reactions or autoimmune hemolytic anemia. This cluster of 85,351 papers links these variants to transfusion success in anemia treatments.
How does alloimmunization affect patients needing repeated transfusions?
Alloimmunization occurs when patients develop antibodies against foreign RBC antigens, complicating future transfusions. It raises risks in sickle cell anemia and fetal anemia cases. Research in this field highlights its impact on disease risk and transfusion efficacy.
What is the connection between blood groups and COVID-19 susceptibility?
Certain ABO blood group variants influence COVID-19 susceptibility, as explored in this research cluster. Non-O blood types show associations with higher infection risk. These findings inform transfusion protocols during pandemics.
How do blood groups relate to pancreatic cancer risk?
ABO locus variants correlate with pancreatic cancer incidence in population studies within this field. Specific blood groups elevate disease risk through mechanisms involving RBC antigens. This guides screening in high-risk hematology patients.
What methods detect RBC antigens in transfusion medicine?
Techniques like monoclonal antibodies target RBC antigens for compatibility testing, avoiding alloimmunization. Papers in this cluster, including those on surface markers, support serological assays. These ensure safe transfusions in anemia and hemolytic conditions.
Open Research Questions
- ? How do specific ABO subtypes modulate von Willebrand factor levels and thrombotic risk in transfusion-dependent patients?
- ? What genetic mechanisms underlie alloimmunization variability across Rh-negative individuals during repeated transfusions?
- ? To what extent do blood group antigens influence fetal anemia outcomes in hemolytic disease of the newborn?
- ? Which RBC antigen profiles predict autoimmune hemolytic anemia relapse post-transfusion?
- ? How do blood group interactions with COVID-19 variants affect long-term transfusion immunity?
Recent Trends
The field maintains 85,351 works with no specified 5-year growth rate, sustaining focus on ABO/Rh variants in autoimmune hemolytic anemia, COVID-19 susceptibility, and pancreatic cancer per cluster description.
Highly cited papers like "Genomic atlas of the human plasma proteome" by Sun et al. connect plasma proteins to blood group traits, while consensus reports from Rodeghiero et al. (2008) and Provan et al. (2009) standardize practices amid stable publication volume.
2018No recent preprints or news alter established trends in transfusion outcomes.
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