What is the Difference Between Bombay Blood Group and O Blood Group?

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The main difference between the Bombay Blood Group and the O Blood Group lies in the presence or absence of the H antigen and the H gene.

  • Bombay Blood Group: This is a rare blood group where individuals do not have the H antigen or the H gene. As a result, they produce anti-H antibodies. Blood tests cannot differentiate between the Bombay Blood Group and the O Blood Group, as they both lack A and B antigens.
  • O Blood Group: In contrast, individuals with the O Blood Group have the H antigen and the H gene. They do not produce anti-H antibodies.

During blood grouping, the absence of H antigen in both the Bombay and O Blood Groups can lead to misdiagnosis, as both groups appear similar. However, during cross-matching, the Bombay Blood Group shows incompatibility with the O Blood Group. The Bombay Blood Group is also known as the HH Blood Group.

Comparative Table: Bombay Blood Group vs O Blood Group

The main difference between the Bombay blood group and the O blood group lies in the presence of the H antigen. Here is a table summarizing the differences between the two blood groups:

Feature Bombay Blood Group O Blood Group
H Antigen Not present Present
A Antigen Not present Present
B Antigen Not present Present
H Antibodies Present Not present
Transfusion Can only receive blood from Bombay blood group donors Can receive blood from A, B, or O blood group donors

The Bombay blood group, also known as HH blood group, lacks the H antigen, which is necessary for the formation of A and B antigens. As a result, individuals with the Bombay blood group produce anti-H, anti-A, and anti-B antibodies. In contrast, the O blood group contains the H antigen and has both A and B antigens. However, the O blood group lacks the H antibodies present in the Bombay blood group. Due to the absence of A and B antigens, the Bombay blood group is often misdiagnosed as the O blood group.