Universal Donor

Universal Donors of PRBCs

Individuals with O-negative type blood can theoretically donate blood to a recipient with any blood type. Despite this, there has been evidence that a negative reaction can still occur among the donor's antibodies and the recipient's antigens. Thus, the term universal donor generally describes the lack of a reaction between the donor's antigens and the recipient's antibodies, although the vice versa is still possible. Exact blood-type matches are preferable [Page 1720]in the hospital setting to limit these types of negative reactions.

Universal Donors of FFP

The situation when transfusing FFP is opposite that of PRBCs. Recipients with O-type blood can receive FFP only from donors with O-type blood. In this case, the “universal donors” of FFP are those with AB-type blood, not O-type as in the case with PRBCs.

The term universal donor has generally been used to describe donors whose blood is compatible with any recipient. Despite the fact that the term is not wholly accurate or inclusive, the term helps the public understand the process behind donating blood and who the donated blood is best suited for.