Specific Objectives

The student shall be able to do the following:

1. Discuss the antigens of the system under the following headings: symbols, immunogenicity, inheritance (genetic pathway), development at birth, distribution in the body.
2. List the North American frequency of the four major blood groups comprising the system and state the major variations in racial distribution that occur.
3. 1. Discuss the antibodies of the system under the following headings: usual antigenic stimulus, variations in strength with age, immunoglobulin classes, methods of detection, ability to bind complement, clinical significance.
   2. Discuss IgG anti-A and anti-B with regard to ability to bind complement (compared to IgM antibodies); ability to agglutinate red cells in saline; antigenic stimuli.
4. Discuss the Bombay (Oh) blood group under the following headings: inheritance, frequency, antigens present on red cells, antibodies present in serum, transmission of genes to offspring, implications for blood transfusion.
5. 1. Define the term lectins and state their uses in blood bsanking.
   2. Name the lectin which is specific for the H antigen, and list the common ABO blood groups according to the amount of H antigen present (from greatest to lowest amount).
6. Discuss secretion of ABH antigens under the following headings: inheritance, frequency, principle of the test for secretor status and historical applications of the test.
7. Discuss ABO grouping procedures under the following headings: source of antisera and red cells, government regulations regarding coloring of antisera, uses of anti-A,B, methods (tile and tube); significance of front cell group and reverse serum group; interpretation of test results; quality control procedures.
8. Discuss the subgroups A₁ and A₂ under the following headings: quantitative and qualitative differences, typical grouping results, frequency, need to differentiate, resolution of grouping discrepancies in A₂ blood groups with anti-A₁, clinical significance of anti-A₁ produced by A₂ individuals, usual antigenic stimulus of anti-A₁ and typical immunoglobulin class.
9. Discuss the subgroups A₃ and Ao (Ax) under the following headings: frequency, typical grouping results, resolution of grouping discrepancies.
10. State the frequency of subgroups of B.
11. Describe the mechanisms involved and interpret and resolve anomalous ABO grouping results due to the following: weakened A phenomenon, acquired B phenomenon, polyagglutination due to T activation, Wharton's jelly, age (newborn and elderly), a- or hypogammaglobulinemia, presence of irregular IgM alloantibodies (anti-M, anti-P₁, anti-Le^a, etc.), autoanti-I, rouleaux.
12. Determine ABO genotypes and phenotypes of members of pedigrees based on selected ABO grouping information provided for some members.

Assessment for Internet-based modules is based on a Pass/Fail status. To receive credit for a module, you must pass each assignment, demonstrate satisfactory performance for participation in the module, and meet module deadlines.

More specifically, assessment is based on these criteria:

• Work of satisfactory quality must be submitted for assignments, with the pass mark set at 70%. Besides evaluation, assignments are meant to enhance learning. If work quality is inadequate, an exercise will be returned as unacceptable with comments and suggestions for improvement. You will then have time to improve and resubmit it by a mutually agreeable due date. If the revised work is acceptable, you will then receive credit for it.

• Participation in class discussions must be of satisfactory quantity and quality. Participating in class discussions is mandatory. This is achieved by exercises that require you to post comments and questions to the class mailing list.

• Assignments must be submitted according to due dates and within the time limit set for the module. Late work will not be accepted unless a delay has been negotiated with the instructor.

Learning Objectives