The present application discloses a system and method for ABO antibody detection and characterization that can provide an alternative means for assessment and management of ABO-incompatible and ABO-compatible transplants. The method and system comprises determining an anti-ABO blood group antigen subtype antibody profile of a subject using a biological sample from the subject. The method and system can be used to evaluate the suitability of a donor blood or tissue product for a recipient subject by comparing the determined anti-ABO antigen subtype antibody profile of the recipient subject with the ABO histo-blood group or ABO histo-blood subgroup of a donor blood or tissue product. In order to define the subject's ABO histo-blood subgroup, the determined antibody profile is compared to known ABO histo-blood group antigen subtype profiles and/or known anti-ABO antigen subtype antibody profiles for ABO histo-blood subgroups to identify the ABO histo-blood subgroup of the subject. Profiles can be established by applying a sample to an array of surface-bound ABO antigens selected from the group of type I to type VI antigens of each blood group A, B or H.