by Joe Chaffin | Mar 21, 2016
Glossary Homologous This antiquated term is sometimes used by blood bankers with a bit more “experience.” The word itself roughly means “of the same species.” To blood bankers that use it, however, it means exactly the same as...
by Joe Chaffin | Mar 21, 2016
Glossary HLA Alloimmunization Alloimmunization, as defined elsewhere, simply means formation of antibodies against non-self antigens. When this occurs against antigens in the “Human Leukocyte Antigen” (or HLA) system, the process is known as HLA...
by Joe Chaffin | Mar 12, 2016
Glossary Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Commonly abbreviated “HUS,” this is one of the two thrombotic microangiopathies, along with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Like TTP, HUS is associated with thrombocytopenia and changes of microangiopathic...
by Joe Chaffin | Mar 12, 2016
Glossary Hemolysis A general term for the destruction of red blood cells (RBCs). Hemolysis can occur for many reasons, including incompatible antibodies (as in hemolytic transfusion reactions and autoimmune hemolytic anemias), mechanical reasons (damaged heart valves...
by Joe Chaffin | Feb 3, 2017
Glossary Hematuria Why on earth would this word be included in a blood bank glossary? Simply because I don’t want it to confuse you! According to the American Urological Association, hematuria is simply “defined as the presence of red blood cells in the...
