The identification of blood group distributions and frequencies of particular antigens can help to minimize the risks linked to alloimmunization and hemolytic transfusion reactions, thus enhancing the efficacy and safety of transfusion practices used in patients with hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN).
Recognizing that transfusion procedures vary among different ethnic populations, the researchers sought to explore ABO, Rhesus (Rh), and MNS blood group antigens, phenotypes, and allele frequencies among students from Walailak University, located in Thai Buri, Thailand. Findings from their descriptive, cross-sectional analysis were published recently in the journal Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health.
Based on the fact that blood group antigens do vary among populations and ethnicities, it is critical to investigate their prevalence in specific regions of the world. Typically, blood groups are identified by the combination of antigens that are expressed on the red blood cell membrane. According to the International Society of Blood Transfusion, 360 antigens within 45 different blood group systems have been identified.
The most clinically significant blood group system is ABO, in which active natural antigens are present. The ABO blood group system is controlled by ABO*A, ABO*B, ABO*O alleles, which results in the phenotypes A, B, O, and AB. When incompatibility exists between ABO blood groups, this can cause severe hemolysis in transfusion. The second most clinically important blood group system is the Rh system, which is distinguished by the highly immunogenic RhD antigen “encoded by the RHD gene, along with the C, c, E, and e antigens encoded by the RHCE gene.”
Read more about HDFN symptoms and risks
Among individuals from East Asia, presence of the RhD-negative phenotype is rare in comparison to its presence among Caucasian individuals. In the MNS blood group system, “M and N antigens are controlled by codominant GYPA*M and GYPA*N alleles.”
In the current analysis, blood samples were obtained and typed for blood group antigens via the use of serologic testing. “Antigen, phenotype, and allele frequencies were calculated based on the observed phenotypes.”
A total of 303 samples were obtained from Walailak University students 19 to 22 years of age who were currently enrolled in the Medical Technology program. Overall, 244 students were female and 59 were male. Standard antisera was utilized to identify the ABO, Rh, and MNS blood group systems.
Results of the study showed that in the ABO blood group system, the frequency of the individual blood groups in the study participants was as follows:
- Type O: 37.29%
- Type A: 19.47%
- Type B: 35.98%
- Type AB: 7.26%
Rh blood group distribution revealed the following:
- C antigen: 95.05%
- c antigen: 39.27%
- D antigen: 99.01%
- E antigen: 29.37%
- e antigen: 96.37%
“This study provides valuable insights into blood banking management and transfusion services, facilitating crucial support in the selection of compatible blood products for patients requiring transfusion,” the authors wrote. ”[F]urther research with larger and more representative samples is needed to validate these findings.”
