Prevalence of Weak D (Du) in Blood Donors in a Referral Teaching Hospital

ABSTRACT

Background: Rh D is the most important Blood Group antigen after ABO Blood group antigen for transfusion purpose. All negative blood units by routine methods must be tested to detect weak D using IAT method. When the test for D and Du is positive, the label should read Rh(D) Positive . When the test for D and Du is negative, the label should read Rh(D) Negative. Objective: To know the prevalence of weak D in the donor population. No study has been done in this part of the country earlier. It will help in the knowledge of weak D, which is very important for better patient care and prevent allo-immunzation in blood recipients. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were tested by ID Gel technique or by tube method with two anti D reagents - anti-D IgM monoclonal and blend of anti-D IgM&IgG. All negative samples were further tested for weak D in IAT phase by LISS/Coombs' gel card. Results: A total of 13043 samples were tested from January 2011 to December 2013. 12196 were Rh positive and 847 were Rh D negative. Weak D was positive in 8 samples. Conclusion: The study shows the prevalence of weak D as 0.07% in blood donors who were primarily from in and around Jalandhar in Punjab. These donors may have posed problem to the recipients of blood and blood product and their detection prevented them from alloimunisation.