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Sporadic occurrence of Diego A antigens and antibodies in Berlin
H G Heuft1, T Zeiler, J Zingsem
1Abteilung Innere Medizin und Poliklinik m.S. Hämatologie und Onkologie, Universitätsklinikum Rudolf Virchow, Freie Universität Berlin, FRG.
Background:
The antigen Dia is common among Mongols (5-12%), but rare in Caucasians (< 1%).
Objective:
The accidental discovery of Diego A (Dia) antibodies in a South American tourist and in an elderly German patient prompted us to investigate the frequency of Dia antigens in the German population.
Design:
1,352 German random blood donors, all living in Berlin or in the areas around, were tested for the presence of the Dia antigen on their red blood cells. All donors were Caucasians.
Results:
Dia was found in 12 individuals (0.89%).
Conclusions:
We think that Dia is a low-frequency antigen in the European population. The admixture of Mongol genes following wars or migration is only of low or no importance.