Blood group genotyping in alloimmunized multi‐transfused thalassemia patients from Iran

Abstract

Objectives Serological methods may not be reliable for RBC antigen typing, especially in multi‐transfused patients. The blood group systems provoking the most severe transfusion reactions are mainly Rh, Kell, Kidd, and Duffy. We intended to determine the genotype of these blood group system antigens among Iranian alloimmunized thalassemia patients using molecular methods and compare the results with serological phenotyping. Methods Two hundred patients participated in this study. Blood group phenotype and genotype were determined using the serological method and PCR‐SSP, respectively. The genotypes of patients with incompatibility between phenotype and genotype were re‐evaluated by RFLP‐PCR and confirmed by DNA sequencing. Results Discrepancies between phenotype and genotype results were found in 132 alleles and 83 (41.5%) patients; however, there was complete accordance between the three genotyping methods. Most discrepancies were detected in Rh and Duffy systems with 47 and 45 cases, respectively, and the main discrepancy was in the FY*B/FY*B allele when serologically showed Fy(a+b+). All 39 undetermined phenotypes, due to mixed‐field reactions, were resolved by molecular genotyping. Conclusion Molecular genotyping is more reliable compared with the serological method, especially in multi‐transfused patients. Therefore, the addition of blood group genotyping to serological assays can lead to an antigen‐matched transfusion in these patients.

Genomic analysis of KEL*03 and KEL*04 alleles among Thai blood donors

“…It is useful for selecting appropriate blood for patients with anti-Kp a and anti-Kp b antibodies, as well as in anthropology studies to determine allele frequencies within populations. 7 , 8 , 9 …”

“…It is useful for selecting appropriate blood for patients with anti-Kp a and anti-Kp b antibodies, as well as in anthropology studies to determine allele frequencies within populations. 7,8,9 Various polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based techniques have been used to identify the KEL*03 and KEL*04 alleles. The PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) methods have been used to genotype these alleles among Iranian patients with alloimmunised multi-transfused thalassaemia 7,8 and to determine allele frequencies in the multi-ethnic Brazilian population.…”

“…7,8,9 Various polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based techniques have been used to identify the KEL*03 and KEL*04 alleles. The PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) methods have been used to genotype these alleles among Iranian patients with alloimmunised multi-transfused thalassaemia 7,8 and to determine allele frequencies in the multi-ethnic Brazilian population. 9 A multiplex PCR assay was also developed to genotype 35 red blood cell antigens among Austrian blood donors and provided reliable results compared with serological testing.…”