Red cell antigen phenotypes in blood donors & thalassaemia patients for creation of red cell antigen-matched inventory

Microfluidic chip designs and their application for E antigen typing on red blood cells

The E antigen is one of the main Rh antigens on red blood cells (RBCs). The high ability of the E antigen to trigger an immune response along with the presence of anti-E, can cause serious issues such as hemolytic transfusion reactions and hemolytic disease in newborns. In this study, we developed a microfluidic biochip for Rh typing (E antigen). Three different micromixer types were compared for simulation, mixing tests, and optimal interactions of blood typing reagents and RBCs to provide an accurate agglutination reaction. Using separate syringe pumps, a blood sample and anti-E reagent were introduced into the microfluidic device through the respective inlet channels. Then, the fluids underwent thorough mixing within the micromixers before reaching reaction reservoirs where RBC agglutination was observed. The 8-shape micromixer design showed the most agglutination and indicated the best performance for E antigen detection and was able to differentiate blood clinical samples with E-positive and -negative RBCs. The microfluidic chip could also be applied for RBC antigen detection in blood bank procedures during blood typing and compatibility testing.

Prevalence of blood group antigens among regular blood donors: A single center study from South India with a review of national literature

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The antigen frequencies vary across different regions and ethnic groups. Hence, we aimed to study the prevalence of blood group antigens in our population and to systemize the zone-wise prevalence of the same across India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Regular voluntary O group blood donors were screened for 21 blood group antigens; C, c, E, e, K, k, Kpa, Kpb, Jka, Jkb, Fya, Fyb, Lea, Leb, Lua, Lub, P1, M, N, S, s, using commercially available monoclonal antisera by column agglutination technology. A literature search was performed to identify all the studies that reported blood group antigens prevalence to estimate the zone-wise prevalence of these antigens in the country.

RESULTS

A total of 521 participants of 9248 O group donors meeting all the inclusion criteria were included. Among the study group, the male-to-female ratio was 9:1 with a mean age of 32.6 years (±10.01) ranging from 18-60 years. The majority of the donors 446 (85.6%) were D positive. The most common phenotypes among Rh, Lewis, Kell, Duffy, Kidd, Lutheran and MNSs were CcDee (34.93%), Le(a-b+) (61.80%), K-k+(98.27%), Fy(a+b-) 43.19%, Jk(a+b+) 42.61%, Lu(a-b+) ( 99.61%), M+N+ (48.17%), S-s+ (45.29%) respectively. The prevalence of D and E antigens was significantly lower in the South zone compared to other zones of India.

CONCLUSION

Significant difference in the prevalence of blood group antigens is observed between the South and other zones of India. Zone-wise prevalence of blood group phenotypes is essential in the timely management of alloimmunized patients.

Frequency of Extended Red Cell Antigen Phenotype Among Patients of Hematological Diseases: A Single Center Study

Background

Alloimmunization of erythrocytes is a major problem in patients with hematological diseases that require frequent blood transfusions. Matching of extended red cell antigens of Kell, MNS, Kidd, and Duffy can decrease the risk of alloimmunization. Hence, in this study, the frequencies of the extended red cell phenotypes were explored.

Objective

To find out the frequency of extended red blood cell antigen phenotypes among patients with hematological diseases.

Methods

This cross-sectional research study was performed on 488 patients diagnosed with hematological diseases who required blood transfusion at the National Institute of Blood Disease and Bone Marrow Transplantation Karachi for a period of 1.42 years from November 2019 to March 2021. The blood of patients was analyzed for antigen phenotypes of different blood group systems including Kell, MNS, Kidd, and Duffy. The data obtained were interpreted.

Results

Among the 488 patients, 284 (58.20%) patients were male, and 204 (41.80%) patients were female with a mean age of 8.1 years. Beta thalassemia was the most common hematological disease reported in 354 (72.5%) of the patients. The most common blood group was O positive reported in 182 (37.3%) of the patients followed by B positive blood group in 124 (25.4%). The frequencies of extended red cell antigen phenotypes in the patients were K antigen 14 (2.9%), Kp^a antigen 26 (5.3%), Kp^b antigen 424 (86.9%), Fy^a antigen 360 (73.8%), Fy^b antigen 260 (53.3%), Jk^a antigen 294 (60.2%), Jk^b antigen 326 (66.8%), M antigen 410 (84.0%) and N antigen 306 (62.7%).

Conclusion

Beta thalassemia was the most common hematological disease followed by iron deficiency anemia, aplastic anemia, and acute leukemia. Patients with hematological diseases had a higher prevalence of Kp^b antigen followed by M, Fy^a, Jk^b, N, Jk^a, Fy^b, Kp^a, and K antigen. O positive was the most frequent blood group followed by B positive, A positive and AB positive blood group.