Final answer:
A delayed transfusion reaction, also known as an anamnestic response, occurs when a person's immune system recognizes an antigen that they have previously encountered, resulting in a faster and more intense immune response. In the case of blood transfusions, a delayed transfusion reaction can occur when a person receives a transfusion of blood that is incompatible with their own blood type. This immune response can lead to the destruction of the transfused red blood cells and cause a range of symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
A delayed transfusion reaction, also known as an anamnestic response, is caused by the immune system's memory of a previous encounter with a specific antigen. This type of reaction occurs when a person is exposed to an antigen that they have previously encountered, resulting in a faster and more intense immune response.
In the case of blood transfusions, a delayed transfusion reaction can occur when a person receives a transfusion of blood that is incompatible with their own blood type. For example, if a person with type B blood receives a transfusion of type A blood, their immune system will recognize the type A antigens as foreign and mount an immune response.
The immune response in a delayed transfusion reaction can lead to the destruction of the transfused red blood cells, causing symptoms such as fever, chills, itching, hives, difficulty breathing, hemoglobin in the urine, and low blood pressure. In severe cases, the reaction can result in shock, organ failure, and even death.