Blood type AB is the universal recipient because individuals who have blood type AB does not have the antibodies. They do not have the anti-A or Anti-B antibodies. They can receive all types of blood types: A,B,O,AB
I'm sure you've heard that a universal blood donor can give blood to anyone, and that a universal recipient can receive blood from anyone.
It's not true when "Whole blood" from a donor is given. Whole blood consists of red cells, white cells, platelets and other components floating in plasma. Therefore, whole blood can only be given to someone who has the exact same blood type. Giving whole blood from a "universal donor" to someone of a different blood type would cause a transfusion reaction and most likely result in death.
What the universal donor and recipient rule refers to is "packed red cells."
Current blood bank processes sort these components into their own separate bags for use when needed. The packed red cells, not whole blood, are the component that is usually administered during a blood transfusion.
source :
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