Blood group genotypes in Zambia and linkage to sickle cell disease

A number of normal Zambian individuals, Sickle cell heterozygotes and homozygotes, of different tribes living in Livingstone, were studied for Rh and MNSs genotypes. The purpose of this study was to establish the frequency distribution of these antigens in the normal Zambian. An attempt was also made to find the degree of linkage between Rh, MNSs with Sickle cell genes. cDe genes were found to bear a linear relationship amongst normal Zambians, heterozygotes and homozygotes, thus making the cDe antigen very prevalent in Zambia. MN antigens are however unevenly distributed. There is also a positive straight line relationship in the absence of S and s antigens amongst normal individuals, heterogygotes and homozygotes. Su, an allele of Ss system commonly found in Africa is also prevalent in Zambia. The linkage between cDe, MN, Ss genes and Sickle cell genes seems to be insignificant (P = 0.1 or greater than 0.1). The finding of a high percentage of cDe genes in normal Zambian individuals should help the clinicians in solving medico-legal disputes in the study of various genetic and anthropological problems.