Blood group antigens frequency: a comparative study in intermediate thalassemics versus healthy people in Isfahan

ABSTRACT

Blood group antigens include more than 260 antigens on the erythrocyte cell membrane,forming 24 different blood group systems. These can be categorized in 11 major systemswhich account for 172 of the antigens. Incompatibility of some of these antigens, especially inmultiple transfused patients, results in hemolytic reactions. Although intermediate thalassemicsneed fewer blood transfusions than major ones, alloimmunization is more frequent in the former. This can be due to the different frequenct rates of blood group phenotypes in intermediate thalassemics as compared with healthy people.Red blood cell antigen typing was done in 39 intermediate thalassemics and 150 healthy blood donors for Rh, Kidd, MNSs, Lutheran and Duffy blood systems. K and M antigens had different frequency rates in both groups [p<0.01, p<0.0005] showing higher frequency inpatients.Complementary studies are recommended to be performed in order to evaluate high-riskalloimmunization in intermediate thalassemias. Assessment of the frequency of other red bloodcell antigens, antibody screening, and identification of alloantibodies in immunizedintermediate thalassemics can be helpful in this regard.Kantigen is very immunogenic; however its prevalence rafe is high among intermediatethalassaemics, but this contradiction can not be posed as the increasing cause of alloimmune reactions in such patients. Supplemental studies including screening and detection of posttransfusioncreated antibody types not only help in selecting the more appropriate blood typefor thalassaemics but also help in justifying increasing alloimmune reactions in thalassaemics