Monika Drakulová, Libuša Ceizelová
Blood group erythrocyte antigens are hereditary structures, which can be recognized by another individual not having these antigens and thus induce immune response. Regarding this possibility of immunization erythrocyte antigens are clinically significant for allogeneic blood transfusions, but an analogical mechanism can cause the mother’s immunization during pregnancy. Apart from the knowledge of erythrocyte membranes and blood groups the erythrocyte immunology deals with knowledge of antibodies against erythrocyte as well. Not all irregular anti-erythrocyte antibodies are employed in pathogenesis of neonatal hemolytic disease. Theoretically any anti-erythrocyte antibodies of the IgG class can cause it. The most common cause of severe neonatal hemolytic disease is antibody anti-D (85 %), anti-K (10 %), anti-C (3.5 %) and anti-E.