Book published under the aegis of the French Blood Products Agency (EFS)
Our understanding of erythrocyte blood group genes and antigens has grown over the past years. In view of the vast wealth of information now available, and following on the heels of a first publication on practical immunohematology and its implications for clinical practice, this book provides a "back to basics" guide to the subject. A good understanding of this polymorphism is essential if blood donation quality requirements are to be met since the genetic diversity of the French population must be taken into consideration: failure to do so could jeopardize the public health mission of the agency.
- First section devoted to basics
System by system, data are presented for antigens and phenotypes, genes and genetic diversity, the distribution of antigens on the membrane and in tissues, the antibodies directed against them and their role in transfusion and during pregnancy, the possible link between a phenotype and a disease, or the possible involvement of antigens in autoimmune phenomena, the sensitivity of antigens to enzymatic therapy, their expression at different chronological ages and stages of erythopoiesis and lastly, data on their biochemistry and function.
- Second part devoted to genetic anthropology
The authors report on the significance of erythrocyte blood groups in genetic anthropology, focusing on the distribution of the different blood groups in the major human populations and their usefulness in the study of migration phenomena.
