A person with blood type O can donate a kidney to recipients with blood types A, B, AB, and O. Individuals with blood types A, B, or AB can only donate to recipients with compatible blood types. However, advancements in medical science have made it possible to perform kidney transplants even when blood types are incompatible.
Here's a breakdown of blood type compatibility for kidney donation:
| Recipient Blood Type | Compatible Donor Blood Type |
|---|---|
| A | A or O |
| B | B or O |
| AB | A, B, AB, or O |
| O | O |
Key Considerations:
- Blood Type O as the Universal Donor: Individuals with blood type O are considered universal donors because their red blood cells lack A and B antigens, making them less likely to trigger an immune response in recipients with other blood types.
- Blood Type AB as the Universal Recipient: Those with blood type AB are considered universal recipients because they can receive red blood cells from donors of any blood type.
Incompatible Kidney Transplants:
In situations where a living donor is available but has an incompatible blood type with the recipient, procedures like plasmapheresis and Immunoadsorption, along with specific medications, can be used to reduce or eliminate antibodies in the recipient's blood that would attack the donor kidney. This allows for successful kidney transplantation across blood type barriers.
Living vs. Deceased Donors:
The blood type compatibility rules apply to both living and deceased kidney donors. The aim is to find the best possible match to minimize the risk of rejection and improve the long-term success of the transplant.
