Can O blood type be transfused to AB blood type?

Generally, under specific circumstances, type O blood can be transfused to individuals with type AB blood; however, this must strictly follow established transfusion principles and undergo necessary processing. A detailed explanation is as follows:

Within the ABO blood group system, type O red blood cells lack both A and B antigens on their surface, making them theoretically suitable as "universal donors" for red blood cell transfusions to other blood types, including AB. Conversely, type AB plasma contains no anti-A or anti-B antibodies and can therefore accept red blood cells from other blood types.

In practice, however, the plasma of type O blood contains anti-A and anti-B antibodies. Direct transfusion of whole blood from type O to a type AB recipient may potentially cause a hemolytic reaction. Therefore, in clinical settings, only washed red blood cells from type O donors—devoid of plasma and associated antibodies—are typically transfused into type AB recipients to minimize this risk. Additionally, cross-matching tests must be conducted prior to transfusion to ensure no agglutination occurs. The principle of prioritizing same-type transfusions must always be followed, with different blood type transfusions reserved only for emergency situations.

In conclusion, while type O blood can theoretically be given to patients with type AB blood, actual practice still requires adherence to medical guidelines, along with necessary testing and evaluation, to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the transfusion. Under all circumstances, blood transfusions should be performed under the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals.