Background: Duffy blood group polymorphisms are important in areas where Plasmodium vivax predominates, because this molecule acts as a receptor for this protozoan. In the present study, Duffy blood group genotyping in P. vivax malaria patients from four different Brazilian endemic areas is reported, exploring significant associations between blood group variants and susceptibility or resistance to malaria.

Background and objectives: The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) Working Party for Red Cell Immunogenetics and Blood Group Terminology meets in association with the ISBT congress and has met three times since the last report: at the international meetings held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, September 2016 and Toronto, Canada, June 2018; and at a regional congress in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 2017 for an interim session. Methods: As in previous meetings, matters pertaining to blood group antigen nomenclature and classification were discussed. New blood group antigens were approved and named according to the serologic and molecular evidence presented. Results and conclusions: Fifteen new blood group antigens were added to eight blood group systems. One antigen was made obsolete based on additional data. Consequently, the current total of blood group antigens recognised by the ISBT is 360, of which 322 are clustered within 36 blood groups systems. The remaining 38 antigens are currently unassigned to a known system. Clinically significant blood group antigens continue to be discovered, through serology/sequencing and/or recombinant or genomic technologies.

Blood group genotyping by DNA array contributes to the management of transfusions in SCD patients by facilitating the transfusion support with antigen-matched blood. It has the potential to improve the life of thousands of SCD-transfused patients by reducing mortality due to transfusion reactions and immunization.

DNA typing of blood groups by PCR-RFLP in peripheral blood WBCs contributes to the management of transfusions in SCD patients by allowing a more accurate selection of donor units.

Brazilian SCD patients with the TNFA, IL1B, and HLA-DRB1 gene polymorphisms were at increased risk of becoming alloimmunized by RBC transfusions. These findings may contribute to the development of future therapeutic strategies for patients with SCD with higher susceptibility of alloimmunization.

No abstract

The International Society of Blood Transfusion Working Party on red cell immuno-genetics and blood group terminology convened during the International congress in Cancun, July 2012. This report details the newly identified antigens in existing blood group systems and presents three new blood group systems.

The Working Party has met twice since the last report: in Seoul, South Korea 2014, and in London, UK 2015, both in association with the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) Congress. As in previous meetings, matters pertaining to blood group antigen nomenclature were discussed. Eleven new blood group antigens were added to seven blood group systems. This brings the current total of blood group antigens recognized by the ISBT to 346, of which 308 are clustered within 36 blood groups systems. The remaining 38 antigens are currently unassigned to a known blood group system.