Human blood groups: Incidental receptors for viruses and bacteria

To the transfusionist, the main concern about red cell blood groups is one of the general availability of a specific antigen-negative type when needed or the investigation of problematic antibody specificities in some complicated cases. The abundant knowledge derived from the investigation of serologic problems has contributed to our present practice of transfusion medicine. However, as exemplified above, this knowledge and these data correlate well with other scientific disciplines. In the field of transfusion medicine, bacteria and viruses are studied generally because of the harm that they cause. However, the study of hemagglutination in the presence of bacteria, viruses, or cell structural particles has contributed, and still does contribute greatly to the understanding of bacterial adhesins and their role in infectivity. These studies are an example of how two scientific fields can combine their knowledge for scientific advancement.