Genetic diversity of Gerbich alleles in Brazilians reveals an unexpected prevalence of the GE:-2,-3,4 phenotype.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Gerbich (GE) blood group system carries high-frequency antigens and the absence of them leads to rare phenotypes: GE:-2,3,4, GE:-2,-3,4 and GE:-2,-3,-4. Their serological differentiation is limited and misclassification of Gerbich phenotypes may occur, but this can be avoided by molecular characterization. This study aimed to characterize the molecular background responsible for rare Gerbich phenotypes in Brazilian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected eight samples from patients with anti-Ge, six from their relatives and nine samples with normal expression of Gerbich antigens. Serological tests were performed in gel and red blood cells (RBCs) were tested with anti-Ge2 and anti-Ge3. Monocyte monolayer assay (MMA) was performed. Molecular investigation was performed with allele-specific polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Patient plasma samples reacted with all commercial RBCs. Patient RBCs showed negative results with anti-Ge2 and anti-Ge3. Using MMA two of eight antibodies were clinically significant. Exon 3 was not amplified in any of the patient samples and in two samples from relatives, suggesting the presence of GE*01.-03/GE*01.-03. By sequencing, we identified the genetic variability that interferes with the definition of deletion breakpoints, thus two options of genetic structure were suggested to be responsible for the GE:-2,-3,4 phenotype. CONCLUSION: This study showed for the first time the genetic diversity of GYPC alleles for carriers of Gerbich-negative phenotypes in a Brazilian population and showed an unexpected prevalence of the GE:-2,-3,4 phenotype. It also demonstrated the importance of using molecular tools to correctly classify Gerbich phenotypes for selection of variants in antigen-matched transfusions.

Absence of significant genetic alterations in the VSX1, SOD1, TIMP3, and LOX genes in Brazilian patients with Keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To identify inherited or acquired mutations in the VSX1, SOD1, TIMP3 and LOX genes from the combined analysis of corneal and blood samples from patients with Keratoconus. METHODS: The casuistry was consisted of samples of peripheral blood and corneal epithelium from 35 unrelated patients with Keratoconus who were submitted to corneal crosslink treatment. Also, blood and corneal epithelium samples from 89 non-keratoconic patients were used to compose the control group. Ophthalmologic evaluations included a clinical examination, topography and tomography. DNA samples were extracted from peripheral blood and from corneal epithelium in both groups and all coding regions of the VSX1, SOD1, TIMP3 and LOX genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, denatured and subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Mutational screening was performed by single-strand conformation polymorphism and direct DNA sequencing. RESULTS: No pathogenic variant was found in all coding regions of VSX1, SOD1, TIMP3 and LOX genes, we detected only few SNPs (single-nucleotide polymorphisms). Among the polymorphisms stand out three of them, corresponding to the synonymous exchange of amino acids: exon 3 of VSX1 Ala182Ala and exon 3 of TIMP3 His83His and Ser87Ser; in patients with Keratoconus and also in control subjects. All the polymorphisms were found in samples of corneal epithelium and corresponding blood. CONCLUSION: There is absence of KC pathogenic related to mutations in the VSX1, SOD1, TIMP3 and LOX genes in the studied patients.

Anti-A and anti-A,B monoclonal antisera with high titers favor the detection of A weak phenotypes.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the reactivity and the titers of commercial anti-A and anti-A,B antisera in the detection of A weak antigen expression in human red blood cells. BACKGROUND: Commercial monoclonal antisera for ABO phenotyping are useful reagents allowing the identification of the four main ABO phenotypes (A, B, AB, and O). However, the reactivity of these commercial reagents can not be evident when the A or B antigens are weakly expressed, and these antisera have low titers. METHODS/MATERIALS: Six samples from blood donors and five samples from patients with ABO forward and reverse discrepant phenotyping were evaluated. The ABO phenotyping was carried out with different commercial monoclonal anti-A and anti-A,B antisera under different temperatures, using test tubes and gel column agglutination. RESULTS: Monoclonal anti-A antisera with titers less than 256 and anti-A,B with titers less than 128 failed to detect the weak expression of A antigen in 73% and 67% of the A weak phenotypes, respectively. Titres equal to or higher than 2048 (anti-A) and 1024 (anti-A,B) showed better reactivity, independent of the cell clone. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that anti-A and anti-A,B antisera with high titers give better reactivity with red blood cells carrying A weak antigen expression.

Serum IgG Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Antibody Concentrations Do Not Correlate Nested PCR Results in Blood Donors.

Background:Toxoplasma gondii infects millions of individuals worldwide. This protozoan is food and water-borne transmitted but blood transfusion and organ transplantation constitute alternative forms for transmission. However, the influence of IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies in molecular analysis carried out in peripheral blood still remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the serum IgG anti-T. gondii antibody concentrations correlate Nested PCR results in blood donors. Methods: 750 blood donors were enrolled. IgM and IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies were assessed by ELISA (DiaSorin, Italy). Nested PCR was performed with primers JW62/JW63 (288 bp) and B22/B23 (115 bp) of the T. gondii B1 gene. The mean values of IgG concentration were compared for PCR positive and PCR Negative blood donors using the t-test or Mann-Whitney according to the normal distribution (p-value ≤ 0.05). Results: 361 (48.1%) blood donors presented positive serology as follow: IgM+/IgG-: 5 (0.6%); IgM+/IgG+: 21 (2.8%); IgM-/IgG+: 335 (44.7%) and 389 (51.9%), negative serology. From 353 blood donors with positive serology tested, the Nested PCR was positive in 38 (10.8%) and negative in 315 (89.2%). There were no differences statistically significant between the mean values of serum IgG anti-T. gondii antibody concentrations and the Nested PCR results. Conclusions: In conclusion, our data show that variations in the serum IgG anti-T. gondii antibody concentrations do not correlate T. gondii parasitemia detected by Nested PCR in chronically infected healthy blood donors.