Prevalence of Duffy Blood Group Antigens and Phenotypes among Saudi Blood Donors in Southwestern Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Knowing the prevalence of blood group antigens in a given population is important to prevent hemolytic reactions. The Duffy blood group system (FY) has two main antigens, Fya and Fyb. Antibodies binding these antigens can cause immediate/delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions as well as hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. In this study, frequencies of Fya and Fyb antigen expression and FY phenotypes were determined in a cohort of Saudi blood donors. METHODS: For this study, 143 samples were collected from randomly selected volunteer Saudi blood donors living in Jazan Province. Serological analysis, using gel card technology, was performed to detect Fya and Fyb antigens among the samples. RESULTS: The frequencies of Fya and Fyb antigens were 12.58% and 11.18%, respectively. The numbers and frequencies of FY phenotypes were as follows: Fy(a+b-), 15 (10.48%); Fy(a-b+), 13 (9.10%); Fy(a+b+), 3 (2.10%), and Fy(a-b-), 112 (78.32%). The frequencies of the FY phenotypes were highly and significantly different in Jazan Saudis compared to other ethnicities (< 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study reports the frequencies of the Fya and Fyb antigens and phenotypes of the FY blood group system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Jazan Province. The null phenotype Fy(a-b-) was the most prevalent among this population. This study highlights the importance of investigating FY alleles in different provinces of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Association of UCP2-866 G/A Genotype with Autoimmune Hypothyroidism in the Southwestern Saudi Arabia Population.

Introduction: Autoimmune hypothyroidism (AHT) is a widespread disease that disproportionately affects women over men. It is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies that lead to the dysfunction of the thyroid gland. The exact cause of this process is unknown; however, some factors, such as genetic factors, may be to blame. The uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) gene encodes uncoupling protein 2, which has been linked to several pathogeneses; however, the link between UCP2-866 G/A polymorphism and AHT has yet to be investigated. Thus, we investigate the potential relationship between UCP2-866 G/A polymorphism and AHT. Methods: A total of 158 subjects participated in this study, they were either control or AHT patient, and genotyping was performed using a polymerase chain reaction. Results: The frequencies of UCP2-866 G/G, G/A, and A/A in the control subject were 34%, 51%, and 15%, respectively, whereas these frequencies in the AHT were 43%, 46%, and 10%. Conclusion: The study concludes a significant relationship between UCP2-866 G/A polymorphism and AHT, with a carrier subject of the -866 A allele being 3 times more likely to suffer from AHT than wild-type carriers in the study population.

The frequencies of Kidd blood group antigens and phenotypes among Saudi blood donors in Southwestern Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The patients who require transfusion are prevalent in the Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia. Therefore, it is essential to know the frequency of blood group antigens in such a population. The Kidd blood group system (JK) has two antithetical antigens, Jka and Jkb. Antibodies to these antigens may result in delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions. The present study investigated the frequencies of Jka and Jkb and the phenotypes among Saudi blood donors living in the Jazan Province. METHODS: One hundred and forty-three samples from anonymous Saudi volunteer blood donors in the Jazan Province were serotype to detect Jka and Jkb using gel card technology and determine the phenotypes of the JK blood group system. RESULTS: The prevalence of Jka and Jkb antigens were 90.64% (n = 126) and 69.40% (n = 93), respectively. The JK phenotypes were 34.96% Jk(a + b - ) (n = 51), 12.59% Jk(a - b + ) (n = 18), 52.45% Jk(a + b + ) (n = 75), and 0% Jk(a - b - ). The frequencies of the JK phenotypes in the Jazan population were significantly different from those in the Asian population (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We reported the frequencies of the Jka and Jkb antigens and the distribution of the JK phenotypes in a group of Saudi blood donors in the Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia. The phenotype Jk(a + b + ) was the most common among the study population. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the significance of identifying the frequency of JK antigens and phenotypes in the provinces of Saudi Arabia.

Investigation of Dombrock Blood Group Alleles and Genotypes among Saudi Blood Donors in Southwestern Saudi Arabia.

The Dombrock (DO) blood group system has two primary antigens, Doa and Dob, which can cause delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions. The paucity of specific monospecific antibodies can hamper the typing based on these antigens. Thus, blood group genotyping (BGG) was investigated as a possible solution. Sequence-specific primers were designed to target a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs11276) on the ART4 gene encoding the DO*A and DO*B alleles. Blood samples (n = 150) from randomly selected volunteer donors were used. DNA was extracted and resulting PCR products were purified and sequenced. The allelic frequencies of DO*A and DO*B were (n = 122, 40.67%) and (n = 178, 59.33%), respectively. The distributions of DO genotypes were as follows: DO*A/DO*A (n = 20), 13.33%; DO*B/DO*B (n = 48), 32.00%; and DO*A/DO*B (n = 82), 54.67%. In conclusion, this study reports on the allelic frequencies of DO*A and DO*B of the DO blood group system in Jazan Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, this study reports on the prevalence of each genotype, of which DO*A/DO*B was the most abundant. This study contributes significantly to build the current blood donor database in Southwestern Saudi Arabia. Moreover, it may assist in providing safe blood to polytransfused patients and reduce the risk of the red cell alloimmunization.

Frequency of UCP2 45-bp Ins/Del polymorphism in Saudi population from Jazan area and its association with autoimmune hypothyroidism UCP2 45-bp Ins/Del frequency in hypothyroidism.

OBJECTIVES: Autoimmune hypothyroidism (AHT) is a common endocrine disorder. Although the exact cause of AHT is not yet understood, genetic factors may play a major role. Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is a member of mitochondrial protein family involved in the regulation of cellular metabolism. An important functional polymorphism in the UCP2 gene, 45-bp insertion/deletion (ins/del) polymorphism, has been linked to certain clinical conditions. However, an association between the 45-bp ins/del polymorphism and AHT has not yet been established. METHODS: In this study, about 259 blood samples were collected from, patients with AHT and age-matched healthy control subjects. DNA was extracted for UCP2 45-bp ins/del polymorphisms genotyping, using a standard polymerase chain reaction technique. The distribution of different genotypes was determined in both groups and possible association with AHT was also assessed by logistic regression analysis using the Del/Del variant as a reference genotype. RESULTS: The frequency of the UCP2 45-bp ins/del polymorphism in the total study population was 49.04%, 40.15%, and 10.81% for Del/Del, Ins/Del, and Ins/Ins genotypes, respectively. The logistic regression analysis showed crude odds ratios (ORs), respectively, with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and P-values in codominant (Del/Ins) (OR = 1.53, CI = 0.89-2.60, P = 0.17), codominant (Ins/Ins) (OR = 0.75, CI = 0.34-1.74, P = 0.53), dominant (OR = 1.30, CI = 0.79-2.16, P = 0.37), and recessive (OR = 0.62, CI = 0.29-1.36, P = 0.30) inheritance models tested, where none of which were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our data revealed the distribution of the UCP2 45-bp ins/del polymorphisms in Jazan area and confirmed the lack of association between these genetic variants and the development of AHT.