Determining of JK*A and JK*B Allele Frequency Distribution among Muslim Blood Donors from Southern Thailand

Abstract

BackgroundThe Kidd (JK) blood group system is of clinical importance in transfusion medicine. JK*A and JK*B allele detections are useful in genetic anthropological studies. This study aimed to determine the frequencies of JK*A and JK*B alleles among Muslim blood donors from Southern Thailand and to compare how they differ from those of other populations that have been recently studied.MethodsA cross-sectional study was used. Totally, 427 samples of dissimilar Thai-Muslim healthy blood donors living in three southern border provinces were selected via simple random sampling (aged 17–65 years old) and donors found to be positive for infectious markers were excluded. All samples were analysed for JK*A and JK*B alleles using PCR-SSP. The Pearson’s chi-squared and Fisher exact tests were used to compare the JK frequencies among southern Thai-Muslim with those among other populations previously reported.ResultsA total of 427 donors—315 males and 112 females, with a median age of 29 years (interquartile range: 18 years)—were analysed. A JK*A/JK*B genotype was the most common, and the JK*A and JK*B allele frequencies among the southern Thai-Muslims were 55.2% and 44.8%, respectively. Their frequencies significantly differed from those of the central Thai, Korean, Japanese, Brazilian–Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Africans and American Natives populations (P < 0.05). Predicted JK phenotypes were compared with different groups of Malaysians. The Jk(a+b+) phenotype frequency among southern Thai-Muslims was significantly higher than that of Malaysian Malays and Indians (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe JK*A and JK*B allele frequencies in a southern Thai-Muslim population were determined, which can be applied not only to solve problems in transfusion medicine but also to provide tools for genetic anthropology and population studies.

RHCE*E and RHCE*e genotype incompatibility in a southern Thai Muslim population

“…In Thailand, our findings support the dissimilar data of blood group polymorphisms among Thai populations in related studies. [ 9 10 11 12 ] Therefore, RhE/e incompatibilities constituted the focused attention on the wide variability in transfusions across the ethnic groups of Thailand. In addition, the implementation of RhE/e genotyping by PCR-SSP is valuable for transfusion-dependent patients due to the following advantages.…”

“…[ 9 ] In contrast, other alleles, for example, GYPB*S/*s, DI *A/*B , and JK*A/*B , among southern Thai Muslims significantly differed from Central and northern Thais. [ 10 11 12 ] Therefore, those data have helped achieve decreased risk for transfusions in three Thai populations. However, data regarding RHCE*E/*e alleles among southern Thai Muslims remain limited.…”

Red cell genotyping in Thailand: trends for blood transfusion in Asian populations

“…Specific testing by PCR-SSP among blood donor populations was begun in different areas of Thailand for detecting alleles such as DI*A, DI*B, JK*A and JK*B [17,18]. The prevalence of Jk(a+bÀ) and Jk(aÀb+) phenotypes is quite similar (about 25%) although the Jk(aÀbÀ) phenotype is extremely rare among Thais.…”