Page 1042 - Veterinary Immunology, 10th Edition

their expression. Anti–DEA 7 occurs naturally in some DEA 7–
VetBooks.ir negative dogs. When healthy female dogs with a prior history of

pregnancies were examined, the only antibodies detected were
directed against DEA 7. However, the prevalence of these

antibodies was similar in dogs with a prior history of pregnancy
and control dogs. This suggests that pregnancy does not sensitize
dogs to these antigens and that females with a prior pregnancy can
be employed as blood donors.

A blood group antigen called Dal has been identified on the basis
of antibodies produced in Dalmatians following blood transfusion.
Presumably some Dalmatians lack this antigen, which is present in
other dog breeds. Likewise, two new groups (Kai 1 and Kai 2)

unrelated to DEA have been identified. About 94% of North
American dogs are Kai 1+/Kai 2-. Five percent are Kai 1-/Kai 2- and
1% are Kai 1-/Kai 2+. Their significance in blood transfusion is
unclear.

Serological Testing: Agglutination at 4° C and hemolytic and
antiglobulin tests have been used for the detection of canine blood
groups. The source of complement can be either fresh dog or rabbit
serum. There are several commercial blood typing kits available for

dogs. One is a card agglutination test that uses monoclonal DEA 1.1
antibodies to detect positive dogs. The other is an
immunochromatographic strip technique (Chapter 42). This test
uses a monoclonal antibody against DEA 1.1 to detect the antigen in

a blood sample. A third method involves placing a suspension of
the red cells on top of a matrix gel column containing ant–DEA 1.1.
Matrix gel agglutination relies on performing the agglutination test
on top of a viscous gel layer. Non-agglutinated red cells will sink

through the gel, whereas agglutinated cells will remain as a layer
on top.

Cats

Cats have only one major blood group system, the AB system. Cats
may be either type A, type B, or AB. A is completely dominant over
B. The AB antigens are glycolipids. The differences between the
types are due to differences in the expression of neuraminic acid on
the erythrocyte surfaces. Type A cells have predominantly

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