Antibodies and Cross-Reactions

• Plasma has antibodies that will attach foreign surface antigens
• Antibodies that attack other foreign surface antigens are known as agglutinins
• Plasma of an Rh- person does not contain anti-rh antibodies
• A cross reaction occurs when an antibody meets its specific surface antigen
• First the red blood cells clump together, process called agglutination
• RBS may also hemolyze (rupture)