Frequencies of the Blood Groups ABO, Rhesus, D Category VI, Kell, and of Clinically Relevant High-Frequency Antigens in South-Western Germany

Abstract

Background: Current estimates of blood group frequencies in Germany were often derived from studies involving less than 12,000 individuals. The frequency of the D category VI was unknown. Methods: ABO, Kell, and Rhesus blood group data of more than 600,000 donors were reviewed. Allele frequencies were derived by the maximum-likelihood method. The frequency of D category VI was determined in more than 70,000 Rhesus typings. Results: ABO allele frequencies were: O: 0.640, A: 0.279, B: 0.081. Rhesus haplotype frequencies were: cde: 0.394, CDe: 0.431, cDE: 0.136, cDe: 0.021, and Cde: 0.011. D category VI represented 7% of all weak D (formerly D^u). The 95% confidence interval for the D category VI frequency was 1:3,600–1:11,200. Kell allele frequencies were: K: 0.040, and k: 0.960. 95% confidence intervals for rare phenotypes were: Oh: 1:88,000–1:1,760,000, p: 1:200,000–1:5,200,000, Rh_null: 1:180,000–1:10,300,000, and D-deletion: 1:180,000-0. Conclusions: We presented refined estimates of ABO, Rhesus D and Kell blood group frequencies and established reliable frequency estimates for Rhesus haplotype and some rare blood groups. The prevalence of D category VI was about 0.02%, which necessitates specific detection for Rh-D-negative transfusion therapy. A protocol is presented for Rh D typing in transfusion recipients, which obviates the need for an antiglobulin test.

An Assessment of the Clinical Utility of Routine Antenatal Screening of Pregnant Women at First Clinic Attendance for Haemoglobin Genotypes, Haematocrit, ABO and Rh Blood Groups in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

“…Values obtained from South-Western Germany, 43.26% for group A, 10.71% for group B, 4.82%4.82% for group AB and 41.2% for group O, (14) also show a wide variation from the results obtained in this study.…”

The DAU allele cluster of the RHDgene

“…for white populations. 9,34 Although carriers of partial D are more frequent in African populations, 25 more than 25 partial D alleles are predominantly observed in Europeans and to date only 5 partial D alleles were typical for Africans. 12,16,[24][25][26] Thus, the identification of the DAU cluster increased the number of "African" partial D considerably.…”

“…7,8 Transfusion strategies were devised to ensure D-negative transfusion in carriers of D category VI, which was known to be the clinically most relevant partial D occurring in Europeans. 9 The situation is more intricate in Africans: The occurrence of aberrant RHD alleles and anti-D immunizations in D-positive individuals is much more frequent than in Europeans. 10 The serologic testing is confounded by frequent "African" alleles that almost defy serologic recognition, like D category III types.…”

Patterns of Routine Antenatal Laboratory Test Results at Booking in Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Southeast Nigeria

“…This study results were similar to the results of a prospective study in Port Harcourt, South-South, Nigeria that showed blood groups of: A (26.67%), O (52.78%), B (18.33%), and AB (2.22%) [13]. Our results vary widely when compared with values from Western Europe of blood groups: A ( 42%), O (46%),B(9%), and AB(3%), and South-Western Germany: A (43.26%), O (41.2%), B(10.71%), and AB(4.82%) [14,15]. Majority of the women in our obstetric population are of blood group O, and this knowledge is very important during dire obstetric emergencies and blood transfusions.…”