Canine Blood Group Systems and Transfusion Medicine
Summary
Dogs possess a complex array of erythrocyte antigens, including established Dog Erythrocyte Antigen (DEA) systems (DEA 1, 4, 5, 7), newer groups such as Dal and Kai, and further emerging antigens under investigation. Each antigen can provoke an immune response when a sensitised recipient receives mismatched blood, leading to alloimmunisation and potentially acute haemolytic transfusion reactions. Accurate identification of canine blood types by immunochromatographic strip methods, gel column agglutination and molecular assays is vital to select compatible donors, minimise sensitisation risk, and ensure safe transfusion practice. Regional and breed-specific variations in antigen prevalence guide the formulation of local donor programmes, while in specialised settings crossmatching remains essential, including for interspecies transfusions between domestic and nondomesticated canids. Advances in monoclonal antibody characterisation and standardised typing kits are reshaping canine transfusion medicine, with implications for veterinary care worldwide.
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Canine Blood Group Systems and Transfusion Medicine publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in canine blood group systems and transfusion medicine across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Dog Erythrocyte Antigen (DEA): A classification system for canine blood groups based on surface proteins.
Alloimmunisation: Immune sensitisation of a recipient against transfused donor antigens.
Crossmatch: A compatibility test between donor red cells and recipient serum to detect pre-existing antibodies.
Immunochromatographic Strip Technique: A rapid field test using monoclonal antibodies to identify erythrocyte antigens.
Gel Column Agglutination: A laboratory method to detect antigen-antibody reactions by visualising agglutination in gel columns.
Monoclonal Antibody: A uniform antibody produced from a single immune cell clone, used for specific antigen detection.
References
- Survey of Blood Groups DEA 1, DEA 4, DEA 5, Dal, and Kai 1/Kai 2 in Different Canine Breeds From a Diagnostic Laboratory in Germany. Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2020).
- Kai 1 and Kai 2: Characterization of these dog erythrocyte antigens by monoclonal antibodies. PLOS ONE (2017).
- Dog Blood Type DEA 1 in Two Municipalities of Luanda Province of Angola (Sub-Saharan Africa). Veterinary Sciences (2024).
- The dog erythrocyte antigen 1 blood group in nondomesticated canids and compatibility testing between domestic dog and nondomesticated canid blood. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (2020).
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