Editing Blood type (section)

==Blood typing==
{{main|Blood typing}}
Typically, blood type tests are performed by adding a blood sample to a solution containing antibodies corresponding to each antigen. The presence of an antigen on the surface of the blood cells is indicated by [[Hemagglutination|agglutination]].

===Blood group genotyping===
In addition to the current practice of serologic testing of blood types, the progress in molecular diagnostics allows the increasing use of blood group genotyping,<ref>{{cite journal |author=Flegel WA, Wagner FF, Muller TH, Gassner C |title=Rh phenotype prediction by DNA typing and its application to practice |journal=Transfus Med |volume=8|issue=4|year= 1998|doi= 10.1046/j.1365-3148.1998.00173.x|pmid=9881423| pages=281–302}}</ref> commonly known as [[red cell genotyping]].<ref>{{cite journal |author=Avent ND |title=Molecular genetic methods: principles and feasibility in transfusion medicine |journal=Vox Sang |volume=74|year= 1998|doi= 10.1111/j.1423-0410.1998.tb05432.x|pmid=9704457| pages=275–84}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Anstee DJ |title=Red cell genotyping and the future of pretransfusion testing |journal=Blood |volume=114|issue=2|year= 2009|doi= 10.1182/blood-2008-11-146860|pmid=19411635| pages=248–56|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Flegel WA, Gottschall JL, Denomme GA |title=Integration of red cell genotyping into the blood supply chain: a population-based study |journal=Lancet Haematol |volume=2|issue=7|year= 2015|doi= 10.1016/S2352-3026(15)00090-3|pmid=26207259| pages=e282–9|pmc=4508019}}</ref> In contrast to serologic tests reporting a direct blood type phenotype, genotyping allows the prediction of a phenotype based on the knowledge of the molecular basis of the currently known antigens. This allows a more detailed determination of the blood type and therefore a better match for transfusion, which can be crucial in particular for patients with needs for many transfusions to prevent alloimmunization.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Avent ND |title=Large-scale blood group genotyping: clinical implications |journal=Br J Haematol |volume=144|issue=1|year= 2009|doi= 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2008.07285.x|pmid=19016734| pages=3–13|doi-access=free}}</ref>