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AB Blood Type In Ragdolls
| Acronym: | AB |
| Gene: | CMAH |
| Mutation: | c.939delC, c.1204C>T |
| Inheritance: | Autosomal |
| Sample type: | CHS (Cheek Swab), WBE (Whole Blood EDTA) |
Genetics and characteristics
Same as it is in humans, the AB system is the major blood group system in domestic cats. There are three known blood types in cats – A, B, and AB and they are defined by the presence of N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc) (type A) and N-acetylneuraminic acid (NeuAc) (type B) or the presence of both (type AB) on the red blood cell membrane. The A blood type is the most common one, while B and AB are rare. More precisely, the AB type has been identified in only a few cat breeds so far, including Ragdoll cats and their crossbreeds. The enzyme important for the production of sialic acids on red blood cells is cytidine monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase encoded by the CMAH gene. The AB blood type is highly associated with a mutation within that gene resulting in a reduction of CMAH enzyme activity and consequently, the expression of both antigens (NeuGc and NeuAc).
The AB blood group system is otherly important because, in case of mismatched breeding and transfusions, it can cause life-threatening blood reactions without prior sensitization. After all, cats possess naturally occurring antibodies against the blood antigen they lack. Blood types in cats show a complex autosomal mode of inheritance. The A type is dominant to others and cats that carry at least one A factor will be serotype A or possibly an unknown AB type. The AB type is dominant to the B type and if cats carry both AB factors or one B factor, they will be serotype AB. Only cats that carry both B factors will be serotype B. Early genetic characterization of feline blood types by genetic testing is crucial and it can help prevent blood reactions and help breeders in selecting future mating pairs.
Results Reported As
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References:
Proverbio, D., Spada, E., Perego, R., Della Pepa, A., Bagnagatti De Giorgi, G., Baggiani, L. (2013). Assessment of blood types of Ragdoll cats for transfusion purposes. Veterinary clinical pathology, 42(2), 157–162. https://doi.org/10.1111/vcp.12048
Gandolfi, B., Grahn, R. A., Gustafson, N. A., Proverbio, D., Spada, E., Adhikari, B., Cheng, J., Andrews, G., Lyons, L. A., Helps, C. R. (2016). A Novel Variant in CMAH Is Associated with Blood Type AB in Ragdoll Cats. PloS one, 11(5), e0154973. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0154973