Kells Antigens

Kell Antigens are a group of antigens that may or may not be present on the surface of human red blood cells and play an important role in determining blood type. Kell is a rare blood type that occurs in less than 10% of the population.

The history of the discovery of Kell antigens began in 1946, when Daniel Kell and his colleagues first described antibodies against red blood cells in one of their patients. They noticed that these antibodies only reacted with certain red blood cells and called them Kell antigens.

Kell antigens have two main subtypes - K and k. The K antigen is rarer and has higher immunogenicity than the k antigen. An individual may have both antigens, or only one of them, or not have them at all.

Determination of blood type, including the presence or absence of Kell antigens, is important for blood transfusions between people. For example, people with the Kell- blood type should only receive blood from donors who also lack this antigen to avoid the risk of developing hemolytic disease of the newborn.

In addition, Kell antigens may play a role in the development of autoimmune diseases and other pathologies associated with the immune system.

In conclusion, Kell antigens are important components of blood type that can have an impact on a person's health. Their determination is necessary for proper blood transfusion and can be important for the diagnosis of various diseases.



Kell antigens are an important part of the blood transfusion system because they determine a person's blood type. These antigens can be found on the surface of red blood cells and determine whether a particular person's blood can be transfused to another person who has a different blood type.

Kell antigens can be of two types: KEL and KELP. KEL antigens are those that are present on the surface of the erythrocyte, and KELP antigens are those that are absent on the surface of the erythrocyte.

Determining blood type is important for transfusion of blood from one person to another in cases where it is necessary. This allows you to avoid unwanted reactions and complications associated with blood incompatibility.

However, determining blood type may be difficult in cases where Kell antigens are not detected on the surface of red blood cells. In such cases, blood transfusion can lead to serious complications such as hemolysis, hemolytic disease of the newborn, and even death.

Thus, Kell antigens play an important role in the blood transfusion system and determination of human blood group. Determining them can help avoid serious complications during blood transfusion.



Kell Antigens: A Brief Overview Blood type A (I) is the most common blood group in the world and is characterized by the absence of antigens on the surface of red blood cells. However, there are some people who have A antigens, but they are found on the surface of red blood cells in smaller quantities than in people with full blood type A. Such people are classified as blood group AB (II), and if there is a certain proportion on the surface of the cells Kell antigen, this blood group belongs to AB-K. According to statistical data, the presence of K antigens in people of the AB group is prevalent.

What is K antigen? This antigen belongs to the allelic type of system A antigens. As a result of the various combinations of genes found in human blood groups, about a hundred different variants of blood groups according to the AB0 system are obtained, and this is not a complete list. But the main thing in determining the blood group is the K antigen. The reason for this term is the historical origin of the question: it was originally given to a German during the Second World War. Due to its differences in antibodies, antigen A played a significant role in blood transfusions to recruits and wounded. Due to similarities in the K antigen, the Kell antigen is currently difficult to determine blood type, while the AB system antigen is a product of either the K or K' gene insertion.

There is another rare anomaly in this matter - the Kell + K antigen. Its peculiarity is that it increases the likelihood of conflict when a problem arises with blood transfusion or organ transplantation. To clarify these features, more tests for blood group compatibility and the search for additional compatibility may be required.