Applied Blood Group Serology

(P. D. Issit and D. J. Anstee (eds.) 4thed., Montgomery Scientific Publications, Durham, North Carolina, USA, 1998, 1208 p., $125.00)

---

Some experts in the field consider Applied Blood Group Serology as the “Blood Encyclopedia”. It is not surprising that each edition starting from 1970 has been reprinted several times. For example, the third edition issued in October 1985 was reprinted five times. The book is composed of 46 chapters and includes the most important data on human blood. Chapter 1 gives a short introduction to immunohematology and blood group systems and defines the main terms and concepts. Chapter 2 considers the immune response. It describes the structure and function of antibodies, their genetic control, their stimulation by antigens, antigen-antibody interaction, and formation of mono- and polyclonal antibodies in humans and animals. Chapter 3 considers the principles of various serological methods and their sensitivity, specificity, and use. Chapter 4 describes the structure of the erythrocyte membrane and characterizes the biochemical methods for analysis of the blood group antigens. Chapter 5 summarizes molecular biological methods and their use for studies of human blood groups. Chapter 6 characterizes the antiglobulin test and the role of complement in antigen-antibody reactions as well as metabolic pathways of complement activation. Chapter 7 can be considered an introduction to serological titration of blood groups. Chapters 8-29 are devoted to detailed characterization of the individual systems of the human blood groups. Chapter 8 is the largest; it considers the ABO and H group systems discovered by Landsteiner in 1900; these systems are the most important for blood transfusion. The Lewis, I, P, Rh, and other systems are characterized in detail in the subsequent chapters. Each of the chapters contains data on molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics of various antigens on thee erythrocyte surface.

Chapters 30-33 describe independent antigens with high or low occurrence frequency in various individuals. Chapter 34 considers antigens assayed by the cold-reactive antibodies. Chapter 35 summarizes data on antibody detection and blood transfusion compatibility tests. Chapter 36 is devoted to transfusion reactions, their pathophysiology, and various complications. Blood diseases are considered in chapters 37-42 including various types of hemolytic anemia, hemoglobinuria, etc. Factors affecting the immunological reaction tests in transfusion laboratories are analyzed in chapter 43. Chapter 44 can be considered as an antigen catalog. It is emphasized that at present over 434 various antigens on the erythrocyte surface have been identified. The authors suggest that this number will grow concomitant to advances in development of new methods. Chapter 45 is a dictionary of terms used in the book. It assists in understanding the material for readers lacking specific knowledge in biochemical hematology and immunology. The final chapter, chapter 46, includes recent data obtained just prior to publication. This chapter contains short and concise additions to each of the preceding chapters. The book ends with an antigen index (over 1500 listings) characterized or mentioned in the text.

The amount of information contained in the book is enormous. It includes 260 tables, 112 figures, and over 13,500 references citing original papers and books. It should be noted that compared to the third edition, the material is significantly extended and supplemented with modern concepts in the field.

The book is recommended for experts in biochemistry, immunology, genetics, and molecular biology of blood. It will surely become a handbook for personnel of clinical laboratories working on titration and transfusion of human blood.

G. Ya. Wiederschain

---