Related Experiment Videos
RhD variants in Caucasians: consequences for checking clinically relevant alleles
Hélène Ansart-Pirenne1, Marianne Asso-Bonnet, Pierre-Yves Le Pennec
1National Blood Group Reference Center and the French Establishment of Transfusion of Ile de France, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France.
Transfusion
|August 21, 2004
Summary
This study identified five new weak D variants, improving understanding of D antigen variations. Genotyping weak D Type 1 and 2 can optimize blood transfusions for carriers.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Immunogenetics
- Blood group serology
Background:
- Weak D type carriers have limited immunization risk unless antigen density is below 400 antigens per red blood cell (RBC).
- Partial D carriers, however, can produce anti-D antibodies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize new variants of the D antigen.
- To investigate the molecular basis of weak D expression and anti-D production.
Main Methods:
- Serologic and molecular analyses were performed on 168 blood samples from Caucasian individuals.
- Focus on samples exhibiting weak D expression and/or anti-D production.
Main Results:
- Identified 70 partial D and 62 weak D cases.
- Characterized five novel weak D alleles (399G>T, 680T>C, 833G>A, 851C>T, 1015G>A).
- Weak D Type 1 and 2 alleles showed antigen density up to 500, while new variants and most other weak D variants had densities below 400 antigens/RBC.
Conclusions:
- Provided molecular characterization of five new D variants.
- Recommended routine genotyping for weak D Type 1 and 2 in laboratories for serologically weak D antigens.
- Genotyping can prevent wastage of D- RBC units by enabling safe transfusion of D+ units to carriers.