Survey of Blood Groups DEA 1, DEA 4, DEA 5, Dal, and Kai 1/Kai 2 in Different Canine Breeds From a Diagnostic Laboratory in Germany

Abstract

More than twelve blood group systems have been described in dogs, but little is known about their distribution frequencies within breed populations. Here, we report on an extensive typing survey carried out using available reagents and either established or new clinical kits in purebred dogs from Germany. Leftover anticoagulated blood samples were examined using an immunochromatographic strip method for DEA 1, a gel column technique for Dal and Kai 1/2, and new card agglutination tests for DEA 4 and DEA 5 (which were partially compared with the gel column technique). Monoclonal antibodies were used for DEA 1 and Kai 1/2 typing, and polyclonal antibodies were used for all other types. Among the 206 dogs, 59.2% were DEA 1+, 100% DEA 4+, 9% (Card)/11% (Gel) DEA 5+, 89.3% Dal+, 96.6% Kai 1+, and 2.9% Kai 2+. None of the dogs were Kai 1+/2+, and only one was Kai 1-/2-. Dal-dogs were found in several breeds. Erythrocytes from most DEA 1+ dogs bound strongly on the strips. The agglutination reactions for DEA 5 on the new card tests were generally less than those on the gel column. The blood group pattern DEA 4+, DEA 5-, Dal+, Kai 1+/2-and either DEA 1+ or DEA 1-was found among 80% of the dogs. In this first extensive blood typing survey of purebred dogs from Europe, the proportions of positive and negative blood types were similar to those found in the United States and, for DEA 1, were also similar to those from other European countries, with considerable breed variation in blood types. The newer typing techniques seem to work well and will likely be useful for detecting and preventing specific blood type incompatibilities in the clinic.

Prevalence of Dal blood type and dog erythrocyte antigens (DEA) 1, 4, and 7 in canine blood donors in Italy and Spain

“…Information on the prevalence of different blood types in various breeds aids the selection of blood donors for inclusion in a blood donor program [2]. This study showed a similar prevalence of DEA 1, 7 and 4 to that reported in previous studies in the same, and in different, geographic areas [16,17,19,22].…”

“…Furthermore a study [21] in Korea showed that dogs had no naturally occurring anti-Kai 1 and Kai 2 alloantibodies. A further survey in Germany found similar proportions of positive and negative of DEA 1,4, Kai 1 and 2 and Dal blood types to those in North America [22].…”

“…As there is no relationship between the DEA blood types tested and Dal positivity [19,22], and because Dal testing is not currently routinely available, the only way to evaluate transfusion compatibility for the Dal group is by cross-matching. Cross-matching must always be carried out in dogs receiving further transfusions 4 days after the first.…”

“…Furthermore, the findings in the Cane Corso breed, which is classified in the Molossoid group, might prompt testing of other Molossoid breeds for identification of those with a higher prevalence of Dal negative individuals. As relevant antisera are not commercially available, it was not possible to assay DEA 3, 5 and Kai 1 and Kai 2 blood types [21,22,25], so the relationship of these with the Dal blood type could not be investigated.…”

Canine Blood Group Prevalence and Geographical Distribution around the World: An Updated Systematic Review

“…In 2007, the Dal blood group was identified in an anemic Dalmatian dog through the use of a gel agglutination assay [ 13 ]. The Dal blood group is characterized by anti- Dal alloantibodies; Dal is an antigen in red cells associated with anti-Dal alloantibody production [ 10 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Another blood group involves the Kai systems produced by mouse hybridoma techniques [ 16 , 17 ].…”