A voluntary transfusion recipient registry in Korea as a database for blood group antibodies

Several types of transfusion-related registries have been developed to improve patient outcomes and blood banks. In Korea, a transfusion program functioning as a blood group antibody database and a reference laboratory has been in operation since July 2013. This study was conducted to determine the current status of blood group antigens and antibodies in Korea and propose a model for registries in the field of transfusion medicine.

Cases with unexpected red cell antibodies were registered online in the voluntary transfusion registry. Specific antigen-negative frequencies were calculated based on the recorded data. To determine the frequencies of RhCE antigens, data added via the Blood Information Sharing System were also analyzed. Data added to the registries between July 2013 and June 2022 were included in the analysis.

Among 9,048 antibody cases registered from 29 hospitals, anti-E alone was identified most commonly, followed by anti-E and c, anti-C and e, anti-Lea, and anti-M (2,202, 1,792, 757, 618, and 383 cases, respectively). The frequencies of E-, E-c-, C-e-, Le(a-), and M- were 49.1%, 41.6%, 9.1%, 69.4%, and 21.8%, respectively.

The distributions of antibodies and antigen frequencies were estimated through the transfusion registry. Antigen frequencies were calculated based on the results of antigen typing of red blood cell components performed at the time of issuing. The online transfusion registry serving as a blood group antibody database is useful for determining the frequencies of blood group antigens and antibodies.