ABO

Medical abbreviation · Laboratory Test

ABO stands for ABO blood group system, a laboratory test abbreviation.

Classifies blood into groups A, B, AB and O according to antigens on red cells and the matching antibodies in plasma. ABO compatibility is the single most important safety check in transfusion, since mismatched red cells can cause a fatal hemolytic reaction within minutes.

Example: ABO/Rh: B negative; antibody screen negative.

Usage notes

Discovered by Karl Landsteiner in 1901, work recognized with the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Group O red cells can be given to any ABO group, while group AB plasma is the universal donor plasma. Many hospitals require two separately drawn samples confirming the ABO group before issuing type-specific blood, to catch wrong-blood-in-tube errors.

Related abbreviations

More laboratory test abbreviations

• 25(OH)D – 25-hydroxyvitamin D
• A1C – A1C test (hemoglobin A1c)
• ABG – Arterial blood gas
• ACT – Activated clotting time
• AFB – Acid-fast bacilli
• AG – Anion gap
• Alb – Albumin
• ALC – Absolute lymphocyte count
• ALP – Alkaline phosphatase
• ALT – Alanine aminotransferase
• ANA – Antinuclear antibody
• ANC – Absolute neutrophil count

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Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.