This study demonstrated a full coverage of ABO by capture-based panel, phasing analysis with NGS in ABO genotyping resolved heterogeneity with novel allele and microchimerism findings. This approach provided a more precise method for subtyping and thereby leading to safer transfusion.

EBM performed on the basis of bead-based single-antigen HLA antibody detection coupled with the HLAMatchmaker program is recommended in choosing proper PLTs for refractory patients when A/BU-matched PLTs were not available.

Background and Objectives Kidd blood group system consists of two major antigens: Jk a and Jk b . Both the antigens are absent in individuals typed as Jk null and may develop clinically significant anti-Jk3 antibody. Screening donors for provision of Jk null blood is an ongoing task for blood centres with Jk null blood units kept frozen for specific requirements. In 2016, we discovered a previously typed Jk null donor to be Jk a weak positive. Therefore, a study was conducted for our donors to verify Jk null status and to reinforce our typing protocol. Materials and MethodsIn this experiment, donors previously typed and screened as Jk null were tested with four antisera of Jk a and Jk b , and each with gel card for serology testing. Sequence analysis was performed for SLC14A1 gene for the detection of JK null and weak alleles for genetic testing.Results Among the 30 samples, four were serologically identified as Jk(a+ w ) and genotypically identified as heterozygous for the JK*01W.01 allele. The other 26 were confirmed to be Jk null with JK*02N.01 as the most frequent allele. None of JK*B weak alleles were detected, but three were identified as false positives in the tube method. Gel card gave great accuracy for Jk b detection, but failed to give consistent results for weak Jk a .Conclusion By combining the tube method and gel card method in serology, along with complementary genetic testing, the possibility of misinterpreting weak Jk a expression was eliminated, and we were able to provide Jk null blood for safe clinical transfusion.

Human platelet antigen (HPA) typing is largely performed by use of DNA-based techniques in patients that require assessing the risk of HPA alloimmunization. In this chapter, HPA typing by sequencing-based typing (SBT) techniques is described.

There are currently 36 blood group systems comprising over 300 antigens. The genomic backgrounds of polymorphisms responsible for antigens of each blood group have been established. Current blood group genotyping platforms are focused on testing for antigen‐determine single nucleotide polymorphisms, which are the differences on DNA level for predicting the antigen phenotype, and thus are faced with challenges because of lack of ability to detect unknown variants, structural variants and copy number variations. With the advances in technology and bioinformatics analyses, next‐generation sequencing (NGS) is now an applicable platform for high‐throughput, accurate and extensive blood group genotyping. The widely used platforms and processing steps of NGS are illustrated in this article, as well as an overview of published works. NGS has been used in various applications involving blood group genomics, including location of genetic variants for blood group expression, antenatal care, allele frequency estimation and blood group antigen prediction. Even for some of the most complicated blood group systems, NGS provides insight to solve cis/trans associations and gene rearrangements occurring in homologous genes, as featured for the ABO, RH and MNS systems in this review. Although certain issues such as cost, turnaround time, secured data storage and verification remain challenges for routine blood group genotyping practices, NGS still holds great promise advancement in future perspectives.