RH ANTIBODY Meaning and
Definition
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Rh Antibody is a type of antibody that specifically targets and reacts with the Rh antigen, also known as the Rh factor, on the surface of red blood cells. This antigen is present on the red blood cells of most individuals, except for those who are Rh-negative. Rh antibodies are primarily of two types, namely, anti-D antibodies and anti-c antibodies, which are produced by individuals who lack the corresponding antigen, either due to Rh-negative blood type or as a result of prior sensitization.
In certain circumstances, when an Rh-negative individual is exposed to Rh-positive blood, such as during blood transfusion or pregnancy, the immune system may recognize these Rh-positive red blood cells as foreign and produce Rh antibodies to protect the body. These antibodies can cause agglutination or destruction of the Rh-positive red blood cells, resulting in a range of potential health complications.
The presence of Rh antibodies can have significant implications during pregnancy, as it can lead to complications known as Rh incompatibility, especially if the mother is Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive. In such cases, the Rh antibodies produced by the mother can cross the placenta and attack the red blood cells of the fetus, potentially causing severe hemolytic disease of the newborn or other complications.
Rh antibodies are analyzed and identified through blood tests, such as indirect Coombs test and direct Coombs test. Understanding the presence and levels of Rh antibodies is crucial for the effective management of transfusions, pregnancies, and other medical interventions involving Rh-positive blood.
Common Misspellings for RH ANTIBODY
- eh antibody
- dh antibody
- fh antibody
- th antibody
- 5h antibody
- 4h antibody
- rg antibody
- rb antibody
- rn antibody
- rj antibody
- ru antibody
- ry antibody
- rh zntibody
- rh sntibody
- rh wntibody
- rh qntibody
- rh abtibody
- rh amtibody
- rh ajtibody
Etymology of RH ANTIBODY
The word "Rh antibody" is derived from the term "Rh factor", which refers to a specific antigen found on the surface of red blood cells. The Rh factor was first discovered in the mid-20th century by the scientists Karl Landsteiner and Alexander Wiener, who named it after the Rhesus monkey in which they conducted their experiments.
The term "antibody" is a combination of "anti", meaning against, and "body", which refers to a foreign substance recognized by the immune system. In the context of Rh antibodies, they are proteins produced by the immune system as a response to the Rh factor, specifically when it is foreign to the body (such as during pregnancy when a mother Rh-negative and her fetus is Rh-positive).
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