ABO Blood Group System

ABO Blood Group System

TL;DR ABO blood group is the most important blood group system in transfusion and organ transplantation medicine.  ABO antigens can be found on red cells, white cells, platelets and many circulating proteins. Transfusion incompatibility can cause acute...
Aplastic Anemia (AA): A Bone Marrow Failure

Aplastic Anemia (AA): A Bone Marrow Failure

TL;DR Aplastic anemia (AA) causes pancytopenia (reduction of all blood cell types: RBCs, WBCs and platelets) due to aplasia (failure) of the bone marrow to function (to produce blood cells).  Causes of aplastic anemia (AA) ▾ Congenital e.g. Fanconi anemia,...
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)

TL;DR Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a type of thrombocytopenia due to deficiency of ADAMTS13 metalloprotease which leads to formation of platelet thrombi in microvessels.  Signs and symptoms (pentad) ▾ Thrombocytopenia Microangiopathic hemolysis...
T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-cell ALL)

T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-cell ALL)

TL;DR T-ALL, or T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, is a type of blood cancer that affects T cells, a type of white blood cell. It is characterized by the uncontrolled growth and proliferation of immature T cells, leading to the replacement of healthy blood cells in...