Rh type and Kell antigen

General information:

The Rh system is one of the most complex blood group systems with over 45 different antigens. The most important clinical significance is the RhD antigen, which was described for the first time in 1940. Over 85% of the population has this antigen. These people are noted as RhD positive. Individuals who do not have the RhD antigen are RhD negative. Rh antigens are presented only on red blood cells. Rh and Kell antigens develop early in intrauterine life and are well expressed at birth. After the ABO blood group system, the Rh and Kell systems are extremely important in blood transfusions and for hemolytic disease of the newborn in mother-fetal incompatibility.
The method used is based on the principle of agglutination - column hemagglutination technology. Normal human erythrocytes agglutinate in the presence of antibodies directly directed to an antigen contained on the erythrocyte membrane. Determination of Rh phenotype and Kell antigen is performed with monospecific test reagents: anti-D, anti-C, anti-c, anti-E, anti-e and anti-Kell.

Determination of Rh-system antigens (CcDEe) and Kell antigen is performed in pregnant women; in prenatal and postnatal diagnosis of hemolytic disease of the newborn in Rh incompatibility between mother and fetus; in patients who are to receive multiple blood transfusions, with a view to selecting the appropriate blood for transfusion, especially in children with thalassemia and hemophilia and young women of childbearing age; in other conditions requiring the selection of blood for hemotransfusion;

Sample required:

Venous blood

Key words:

Rh type, kell antigen