From ABO and Rh to Gel Technologies: The Evolution of Blood Group Typing

Date of publication: 6. June, 2025

The History of Blood Typing

Blood types have become a crucial factor in medicine, especially in blood transfusion and the prevention of complications during pregnancy. The discovery of different blood types was a groundbreaking milestone in medical history, as it enabled the development of safe blood transfusions and a better understanding of immune responses.

 

 

The Beginnings of Blood Type Discovery

 

The history of blood typing begins in the early 20th century, when Austrian immunologist Karl Landsteiner discovered in 1900 that there are different blood groups. He observed that red blood cells from different individuals reacted differently when mixed—either clumping together (agglutinating) or remaining in liquid form. This phenomenon led to the development of the first classification system for blood groups, now known as the ABO system. Landsteiner identified three main groups: A, B, and O; a fourth—AB—was discovered later. For this discovery, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1930.

 

The Discovery of the Rh Factor

 

In 1940, Karl Landsteiner, together with Dr. Alexander Wiener, discovered another key blood factor called the Rh factor. The Rh factor is either present or absent on the surface of red blood cells, determining whether a person is Rh-positive (Rh+) or Rh-negative (Rh-). This discovery was crucial for preventing complications in blood transfusions, as incorrect transfusions can trigger severe bodily reactions. Additionally, the Rh factor plays a vital role in pregnancy, as an Rh-negative mother carrying an Rh-positive fetus can develop hemolytic disease of the newborn, a potentially life-threatening condition for the baby.

Od ABO in Rh do gelskih tehnologij: Evolucija tipizacije krvnih skupin

The Importance of Blood Types in Medicine

Blood typing has become essential for the safety of blood transfusions. Incorrect transfusions can cause severe immune reactions, potentially fatal. By identifying blood types, doctors can ensure safe transfusions that save millions of lives. Research in this field has continued, leading to the development of other blood group systems such as MN, Kell, and Lewis. However, ABO and Rh systems remain the most commonly used and most critical in transfusion and treatment.

Modern Methods of Blood Typing

 

Today, determining blood types is a quick and straightforward process used in many medical procedures. Serological methods are employed for testing, which involve mixing blood with specific antibodies that recognize particular antigens on red blood cells. If specific antigens are present, agglutination (clumping) occurs, confirming the individual’s blood type.

Grifols and Modern Automation in Immunohematology Diagnostics

Grifols is a Catalan company specializing in biomedical technology, including the production of plasma-derived medicines and diagnostics. In the context of blood typing, Grifols plays an important role, particularly through the development and manufacture of advanced diagnostic tests and technologies for determining blood types.

 

The company produces various reagents and devices used in laboratories for blood typing, whether in routine testing or more complex analyses, such as those for identifying rare blood groups. Grifols also offers advanced systems for the automation of blood testing, which increases the accuracy and speed of blood type identification—critical in urgent medical situations such as blood transfusions or organ transplants. In this way, the company contributes to the safety of blood transfusions and the prevention of unwanted immune reactions by developing technologies that enable precise typing and recognition of specific antigen profiles on erythrocytes.

Among the most well-known systems are Erytra and Erytra Eflexis. Both are fully automated systems capable of performing all necessary pre-transfusion tests using gel technology. Erytra and Erytra Eflexis are highly innovative and user-friendly—both in terms of internal organization and construction, as well as overall operation. Communication with the instrument occurs through an external monitor. Both systems ensure full traceability of samples and reagents, and their transparent glass casings allow users to observe the entire blood typing process.

Blood typing is performed using small gel cards. There are many types of these cards, but they all function similarly. Each card contains eight microtubes filled with gel. For example, to quickly and simply determine the ABO blood type, a card is used that enables this analysis. Such a card must have two microtubes filled with gel: one containing anti-A antibodies and the other containing anti-B antibodies. A specific volume of blood is pipetted into both microtubes (either manually or by the instrument), and the card is then centrifuged. After centrifugation, the card is examined. If a ring appears at the top of the gel, it indicates agglutination—a reaction in which antibodies bind to a specific antigen.

 

Conclusion

 

From the initial discovery of blood types over a century ago to today, blood typing technology has made significant advancements. Blood typing tests are now rapidly performed and have become an indispensable part of medical practice, ensuring patient safety during transfusions, organ transplants, and other medical interventions. The history of blood typing is, therefore, a story of progress that has directly impacted the improvement of human health worldwide.