Which blood group is universal recipient?

• A. A positive
• B. O negative
• C. B positive
• D. AB positive

Answer: (D)

In blood transfusion, compatibility hinges on antibodies in the recipient’s plasma and antigens on the donor’s red blood cells. People with AB blood have both A and B antigens on their red cells and, crucially, no anti-A or anti-B antibodies in their plasma. That means their immune system won’t target A- or B-type cells from any donor. Add the Rh factor: AB positive individuals carry the D antigen, so they can receive Rh-positive or Rh-negative blood without concerns about Rh incompatibility. Because they lack antibodies against A, B, and Rh antigens and present all those antigens themselves, AB positive people can receive red blood cells from any ABO type and any Rh type. This is why AB positive is known as the universal recipient.