Animals and bacteria have cell surface antigens referred to as a blood type. Antigens from the human ABO blood group system are also found in apes such as chimpanzees, bonobos and gorillas. Other animal blood sometimes agglutinates (to varying levels of intensity) with human blood group reagents, but the structure of the blood group antigens in animals is not always identical to those typically found in humans. The classification of most animal blood groups therefore uses different blood typing systems to those used for classification of human blood.

[edit] Simian blood groups

Two categories of blood groups, human-type and simian-type, have been found in apes and monkeys and can be tested by methods established for grouping human blood.

[edit] Rhesus blood group

The Rhesus system is named after the Rhesus monkey, following experiments by Karl Landsteiner and Alexander S. Wiener, which showed that rabbits, when immunised with Rhesus monkey red cells, produce an antibody that also agglutinates the red blood cells of many humans.

[edit] Chimpanzee blood group systems

Data on blood groups of chimpanzees, baboons and macaques. Two complex chimpanzee blood group systems, V-A-B-D and R-C-E-F systems, proved to be counterparts of the human MNS and Rh-Hr blood group systems, respectively. Two blood group systems have been defined in Old World monkeys: the Drh system of macaques and the Bp system of baboons, both linked by at least one species shared by either of the blood group systems. ^[1]

[edit] Canine blood groups

Over 13 canine blood groups have been described. Eight DEA (Dog Erythrocyte Antigen) types are recognized as international standards. ^{[2] [3] [4]} Of the DEA, DEA 4 and DEA 6 appear on the red blood cell of ~98% of dogs. Dogs with only DEA 4 or DEA 6 can thus serve as blood donors for the majority of the canine population. Any of the DEA may stimulate an immune response in a recipient of a blood transfusion, but reactions to DEA 1.1+ are the most severe. 3 blood typing systems are available on the market to determine if a dog has DEA 1.1 + or - antigens on their red blood cell: - The ID GEL TEST by DiaMed is a laboratory system that requires a specific card centrifuge and laboratory materials. Results can be obtained in 20 minutes (10 minutes incubation and 10 minutes centrifugation).(www.diamed.ch) - The Alvedia QUICK TEST is an immunochromatographic test based on a specific DEA1.1 monoclonal antibody incorporated on a membrane. This monoclonal antibody will retain positive DEA 1.1 red blood cells. It is characterized by the presence of a red band on the mid portion of the membrane. The Quick Test is very easy to use and does not requires any additional material. The result can be obtained in a maximum of 2 minutes and is archivable. This Quick Test also works in the presence of auto-agglutination and low PCV. This Quick Test has been evaluated by worldwide veterinary universities as the most accurate Quick Test system currently available on the market. Inc www.alvediavet.com - The DMS Rapid Vet H card is based on an agglutination reaction that reacts with the DEA1.1 antigen. (www.rapidvet.com)

From DMS Laboratories, Inc [1] : The most important canine blood type is DEA 1.1. Dogs that are DEA 1.1 positive (33 to 45% of the population) can be considered to be universal recipients - that is, they can receive blood of any type without expectation of a life-threatening Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction ("HTR"). Dogs that are DEA 1.1 negative can be considered to be universal donors. Blood from DEA 1.1 positive dogs should never be transfused into DEA 1.1 negative dogs. If it is the dog's first transfusion the red cells transfused will have a shortened life due to the formation of alloantibodies to the cells themselves and the animal will forever be sensitized to DEA 1.1 blood. If it is a second such transfusion, life-threatening conditions will follow within hours. In addition, these alloantibodies will be present in a female dog's milk (colostrum) and adversely affect the health of DEA 1.1 negative puppies.

[edit] Feline blood groups

The commonly recognized system of feline blood designates cats as A, B, or AB. The vast majority of cats in the United States are Type A, but the percentage of Type B cats increases in other countries, such as Australia.^[5][6] Type A and B cats have naturally occurring alloantibodies to the opposite blood type, although the reaction of Type B cats to Type A blood is more severe than vice versa. Based on this, all cats should have a simple blood typing test done to determine their blood type prior to a transfusion or breeding to avoid the haemolytic disease (or neonatal isoerythrolysis).

Three blood typing systems are available on the market to determine if a cat has A,B or AB antigens on their red blood cell: - The ID GEL TEST by DiaMed is a laboratory system that requires a specific card centrifuge and laboratory materials. Results can be obtain in 15 minutes (5 minutes manipulation and 10 minutes centrifugation).(www.diamed.ch) - The Alvedia QUICK TEST is an immunochromatographic test based on 2 monoclonal antibodies specific to the A and B antigens incorporated on a membrane. These monoclonal antibodies will retain positive A and/or B red blood cells. It is characterized by the presence of red bands on the mid portion of the membrane. The Quick Test is very easy to use and do not requires any additional material. The result can be obtain in maximum 2 minutes and is archivable. This Quick Test is also working in case of auto-agglutination and low PCV. This Quick Test has been evaluated by worldwide veterinary universities as the most accurate Quick Test system currently available on the market. This Test can be done by breeders to blood type the kitten directly on the ombilical cord due to a specific absorption band (www.alvediavet.com) - The DMS Rapid Vet H card is based on an agglutination reaction that reacts with the A and B antigens. This technology is based on polyclonal antibodies(www.rapidvet.com)

[edit] Equine blood groups

There are eight recognized blood groups in the horse: A, C, D, K, P, Q, T, and U.

[edit] Bovine blood groups

The polymorphic systems in cattle include the A, B, C, F, J, L, M, S, and Z polymorphisms.

[edit] External links

• H/h blood groups in non-humans at BGMUT Blood Group Antigen Gene Mutation Database at NCBI, NIH
• MNS blood groups in non-humans at BGMUT Blood Group Antigen Gene Mutation Database at NCBI, NIH
• Rh blood groups in non-humans at BGMUT Blood Group Antigen Gene Mutation Database at NCBI, NIH

[edit] References

1. ^ Socha WW. Blood groups of apes and monkeys: current status and practical applications.Lab Anii. 1980 Aug;30(4 Pt 1):698-702. PMID 6775134.
2. ^ Symons M, Bell K. Expansion of the canine A blood group system. Anim Genet 1991;22(3):227-35.
3. ^ Symons M, Bell K. Canine blood groups: description of 20 specificities. Anim Genet 1992;23(6):509-15.
4. ^ Andrews GA, Chavey PS, Smith JE. Reactivity of lichen lectins with blood typed canine erythrocytes. Res Vet Sci 1992 Nov;53(3):315-9.
5. ^ Giger U; Kilrain C.G. Filippich L.J. et al. (1989). "Frequencies of feline blood groups in the United States.". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 195: 1230–1232. 
6. ^ Malik R; Griffin D.L. White J.D. et al. (2005). "The prevalence of feline A/B blood types in the Sydney region.". Australian Veterinary Journal 83: 38–44. doi:10.1111/j.1751-0813.2005.tb12190.x. 

Boyd, WC. Fundamentals of Immunology Third Edition 1956, Interscience.