Distribution of Red Blood Cell Antigens Among Blood Donors and Implications for Extended Antigen Matching Transfusion Strategies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46701/jbbt260511Keywords:
blood group antigens, red blood cells, transfusion medicine, alloimmunization, extended antigen matching, Chinese populationAbstract
[Background] Red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization remains a significant complication of transfusion therapy, with the potential to cause hemolytic transfusion reactions and hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). While ABO and RhD matching is standard practice in China, extended antigen matching strategies have been proposed to mitigate the risk of alloimmunization. However, regional data on RBC antigen distribution are essential for the effective implementation of such strategies.
[Objectives] This study aimed to investigate the distribution of RBC antigens among healthy blood donors in Zaozhuang, China, and to assess the feasibility of implementing extended antigen matching protocols based on local donor antigen frequencies.
[Methods] A total of 172 blood donor samples were typed for 13 antigens across the ABO (A, B, AB), Rh (D, C, c, E, e), MNS (M, S), Kidd (Jka, Jkb), and Duffy (Fyb) blood group systems using monoclonal antibody-based serological typing. Antigen frequencies and phenotype distributions were calculated and compared with previously published data from other Chinese populations.
[Results] Among the 172 donors, the ABO phenotype distribution was as follows: B, 39.0%; O, 29.7%; A, 20.3%; and AB, 11.0%. All donors were RhD positive. The most common Rh phenotypes were C+c+E−e+ (61.6%) and C+c−E−e+ (20.3%). For the MNS system, the M antigen was detected in 68.6% of donors, whereas the S antigen was detected in only 5.2%. Jka and Jkb were detected in 48.8% and 77.9% of donors, respectively. The Fyb antigen was detected in 24.4% of donors.
[Conclusion] This study provides the first comprehensive characterization of RBC antigen distribution in the Zaozhuang region. These data support the feasibility of implementing Level 2 extended matching (ABO, RhD, C, c, E, e, M) in this region. The low frequency of the S antigen suggests that MNS system matching beyond the M antigen may have limited clinical utility in this population. Larger-scale studies incorporating additional antigens are warranted to establish comprehensive antigen-matched transfusion protocols.
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