Human blood group systems
Human blood group systems are the classification of human blood based on the presence or absence of antigens on the surface of red blood cells. These antigens may be proteins, carbohydrates, glycoproteins, or glycolipids, depending on the blood group system.
Overview
The human blood group systems are primarily determined by genes inherited from one's parents. There are 36 recognized human blood group systems, including the ABO, Rh, and MNS systems. These systems play a crucial role in blood transfusion and organ transplantation.
ABO Blood Group System
The ABO blood group system is the most important blood group system in human blood transfusion. The associated anti-A and anti-B antibodies are usually IgM type, which are usually produced in the first years of life by sensitization to environmental substances such as food, bacteria, and viruses.
Rh Blood Group System
The Rh blood group system (Rh meaning Rhesus) is the second most significant blood group system in human blood transfusion with currently 50 antigens. The most significant Rh antigen is the D antigen, because it is the most likely to provoke an immune system response of the five main Rh antigens.
MNS Blood Group System
The MNS blood group system is named after the first two antigens discovered, M and N. It is the third most significant system and has 46 antigens.
Other Blood Group Systems
Other blood group systems include the Kell blood group system, Duffy blood group system, Kidd blood group system, and Lutheran blood group system, among others. Each of these systems has its own set of antigens that can provoke an immune response if transfused into a person who lacks the antigen.
Importance in Transfusion Medicine
The human blood group systems are of critical importance in transfusion medicine. Mismatched blood transfusions can lead to severe immune reactions, potentially leading to transfusion reactions or hemolytic disease of the newborn.
See Also
Ad. Transform your health with W8MD Weight Loss, Sleep & MedSpa

Tired of being overweight?
Get started with evidence based, physician-supervised
affordable GLP-1 weight loss injections
Now available in New York City and Philadelphia:
- Semaglutide starting from $59.99/week and up
- Tirzepatide starting from $69.99/week and up (dose dependent)
✔ Evidence-based medical weight loss ✔ Insurance-friendly visits available ✔ Same-week appointments, evenings & weekends
Learn more:
Start your transformation today with W8MD weight loss centers.
|
WikiMD Medical Encyclopedia |
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian



