Prevalence of ABO, Rh, and Kell Antigens Among Blood Donors in Al-Qurayyat Region

The ABO, Rh, and Kell blood groups are the most immunogenic and clinically important blood antigens. These antigens can trigger strong immune responses after blood transfusions, leading to alloimmunization and post-hemolytic transfusion reactions. The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of ABO, Rh, and Kell blood group antigens at the Al-Qurayyat Regional Laboratory and Blood Bank Center, Al-Qurayyat region, Saudi Arabia.

This study was a prospective observational cross-sectional study conducted at the Al-Qurayyat Regional Laboratory and Blood Bank Center from November 2022 to September 2023. The selection of voluntary and replacement donors was based on recommendations by the Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI). A total of 779 Saudi donors aged between 18 and 60 years participated in the study.

In this study, O blood group was the most prevalent (50.1%), followed by B (32.0%), A (14.4%), and AB (3.6%). RhD positivity was relatively high (93.3%); a characteristic of global trends. Among RhD-positive individ-uals, R1r and R1R1 were the most prevalent Rh phenotypes, consistent with trends observed in Caucasian and Asian populations; however, the most frequent Rh phenotype in RhD-negative individuals was rr. Presence of the Kell antigen was observed in 9.5% of the participants, and interestingly all individuals who tested positive for the Kell antigen were also RhD positive. Conversely, no RhD-negative individuals exhibited the Kell antigen.

Findings from this study highlight the importance of implementing proper inventory management to ensure safe transfusion of blood products. Additionally, this study established a crucial baseline for clinically important blood antigens that also enhances understanding of blood groups and regional variations that could better inform healthcare management systems and public health policies in Saudi Arabia.