Blood group phenotype distribution in Saudi Arabs.

ABSTRACT

The distribution of eight blood phenotypes (ABO, Rh, MNSs Lutheran, Kell, Duffy, Kidd and Lewis) was determined in Saudi Arabs and compared with corresponding published information for Caucasians and Negroes of United States of America, Saudi Arabs manifest ABO phenotype distribution similar to Negroes; rhesus phenotypes similar to Caucasians but an MNSs pattern largely distinct. Heterozygous Kell phenotype, Kk, was much more frequent in Saudi Arabs than in either Caucasians, or Negroes. The Kidd system null allete, JKa-b- was not seen in the studied group. However, increased frequencies of null alleles of the Duff (Fya-b-) and Lewis (Le(a-b-)) systems were observed in Saudi Arabs.