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Title: Can you detect human ABO-Rh blood type from a saliva sample? Post by: jkl50 on Sep 9, 2013 Normally, a human ABO blood type is tested for by taking a blood sample and seeing if the red blood cells have the antigens that react with type A, type B, and type Rh antibodies.
The blood also contains the antibodies that indicate blood type: a type AB person wouldn't have A/B antibodies in their blood, but a type O person would. Do these antibodies also exist in saliva? Could a relatively simple test of a saliva sample detect these? Title: Re: Can you detect human ABO-Rh blood type from a saliva sample? Post by: raelee13 on Sep 9, 2013 I don't think you can. Testing blood types requires the blood itself to test and see what antigens the RBCs has. From there we can conclude which blood type you are
A+ or A- B+ or B- AB+ or AB- O+ or O- Title: Re: Can you detect human ABO-Rh blood type from a saliva sample? Post by: jkl50 on Sep 10, 2013 Upon further research, it seems like it's possible, but hard to do.
In a blood sample, red blood cells have the characteristic type A,B,Rh antigens on their surface. You mix a small drop of blood with separate wells that are treated with A/B/Rh antibody. If the antigen is present, the antibody will react, and the red blood cells will clump, and due to their large size and color, the reaction will be visible. Approximately 80% of the population is known as a "secreter" that secretes these blood group antigens in their saliva. So the same A/B/Rh antibody reageants would produce a similar reaction in a saliva sample. From what I understand, the difference is that you can't see the reaction since the antigens aren't attached to large red blood cells. A more complex ELISA test should work, but I can't justify that complexity over using the easier blood sample. Also, the 20% of the population that are non-secreters don't have blood type antigens in their saliva in significant amounts so a saliva based test wouldn't work. |