ABO, RH, and KEL1 Antigens, Phenotypes and Haplotypes in Southwestern Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Over the past years, the vast majority of blood grouping research in Saudi Arabia has been noted to be mainly focusing on ABO and D antigens. Consequently, knowledge on other clinically significant antigens regarding the RH and KEL blood group systems is required. Therefore, an experimental study using serotyping of ABO antigens, five main antigens (D, C, c, E and e) of the RH blood group system and the KEL1 antigen of the KEL blood group system will be carried out. METHODS: A total number of 3,563 blood samples obtained from Saudi volunteer blood donors in Jazan Province were investigated. The following antigens were included in this study: A, B, AB, O, and D type (D VI) and C, c, E, e, and KEL1 antigens. Moreover, RH phenotypes and haplotypes were also determined. Serological analysis was performed using ID System gel cards. DiaClon ABO/D + Reverse grouping and DiaClon Rh subgroups + K were used. Statistical analysis was used to determine the frequency of all antigens, phenotypes, and RH haplotypes. RESULTS: Regarding the ABO blood group system, observations were as follows: A, 29.44%; B, 10.44%; AB, 1.15%; and O, 58.97%. Antigens of RH blood group systems demonstrated as follows: D, 93.32%; C, 70.97%; E, 18.91%; c, 75.38% and e, 97.95%. The frequency of KEL1 antigen is 4.54%. The frequencies of RH haplotypes are as follows: Dce, 0.0078; DCe, 0.4723; DcE, 0.2736; DCE, 0.0051; dce, 0.2410; dCe, 0; dcE, 0.0001; and dCE, 0. CONCLUSIONS: We established the frequencies of ABO, RH, and KEL1 antigens in Jazan Province of Saudi Arabia. In addition, RH phenotypes and haplotypes were determined. This blood donor screening may help provide compatible blood units for transfusion and patient safety. Therefore, this might be recommended to other provinces of Saudi Arabia to investigate the prevalence of these antigens for better transfusion practice.

Red Cell Alloimmunization and Autoimmunization Among Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia Patients in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: Sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia are common inherited blood disorders in Saudi Arabia, especially in Jazan Province. Patients with these disorders require multiple blood transfusions, which may lead to alloimmunization because of mismatched blood group antigens. In this study, we examined the alloimmunization and autoimmunization rates in patients with SCD and thalassemia together with the involved antibodies. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to review the transfusion history records of patients with SCD and thalassemia at Prince Mohammed bin Nasser Hospital, Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia. Results: Four-hundred thirty-eight patients (385 with SCD, 52 with ß-thalassemia, and 1 with α-thalassemia) were received leukoreduced red cell transfusions. The alloimmunization and autoimmunization rates in patients with SCD were 12.98% and 0.52%, respectively. In patients with thalassemia, the alloimmunization and autoimmunization rates were 13.21% and 3.77%, respectively. The most prevalent antibodies in the study population were anti-E (17.19%) and anti-K (14.06%). Conclusion: The alloimmunization and autoimmunization rates were determined in patients with SCD and thalassemia in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia. The results highlight the need for extended phenotyping to include ABO, RH (D, C, c, E, e), K, Fya, Fyb, Jka and Jkb antigens in the screening panel. This will benefit patients to ensure better transfusion practices.