Major and minor blood group phenotyping and database generation for recruits : A pilot study

Alloimmunization to minor blood group antigens is a problem that has for long befuddled the blood bankers, requiring blood group phenotyping of target populations worldwide. However, the same exercise had been lacking in our Armed Forces population necessitating this pilot study.

A total of 2000 recruits of a regimental center in northern India were phenotyped for major and minor blood group antigens including ABO, Rhesus (D, C, c, E, and e antigens), Kell (K), MNSs (S and s antigens), Kidd (Jka and Jkb), and Duffy (Fya and Fyb) using commercially prepared polyclonal antisera on a fully automated system based on electromagnetic technology. Typing for M and N antigens (MNSs system) was performed using the tube method using company provided specific polyclonal antisera. The results were also compared with that of Indian and other populations of the world.

Blood group antigen frequencies observed in our study population were mostly in sync with the prevalence rates of major and minor blood group antigens reported in other studies; however, in certain cases, they were also at variance. In our study, Rh D-negative antigen, JKa-Jkb- phenotype frequency were comparatively much higher than those reported in other Indian studies.

To conclude, ours was a pilot study to establish the database of major and minor antigens of Armed Forces combatants. However, it is recommended that if the same effort can be replicated at the other transfusion centers and major hospitals of Armed Forces, it will vastly benefit their alloimmunized patient clientele needing lifesaving transfusions.