Distribution of DI*A and DI*B Allele Frequencies and Comparisons among Central Thai and Other Populations

Abstract

Alloantibodies to the Diego (DI) blood group system, anti-Dia and anti-Dib are clinically significant in causing hemolytic transfusion reactions (HTRs) and hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), especially in Asian populations with Mongolian ancestry. This study aimed to report the frequency of the DI*A and DI*B alleles in a Central Thai population and to compare them with those of other populations previously published. Altogether, 1,011 blood samples from unrelated healthy blood donors at the National Blood Centre, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok were included. Only 391 samples were tested with anti-Dia by conventional tube technique. All samples were genotyped for DI*A and DI*B alleles using an in-house polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) technique. The DI phenotyping and genotyping results were in 100% concordance. The DI*A and DI*B allele frequencies among 1,011 Central Thais were 0.0183 (37/2,022) and 0.9817 (1,985/2,022), respectively. Allele frequencies were compared between Central Thai and other populations. Our data shows that DI*A and DI*B allele frequencies are similar to Southeast Asian, Brazilian, Southern Brazilian and American Native populations; whereas, these frequencies significantly differ from those reported in East Asian, Italian, Alaska Native/Aleut, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and Filipino populations (P<0.05), corresponding to the results of a matrix of geometric genetic distances. This study confirms that the prevalence of DI*A and DI*B alleles among Central Thais is similar to Southeast Asians and different to others populations of the world. A PCR-based identification of DI genotyping should overcome some of the serological limitations in transfusion medicine and provides a complementary tool for further population-genetic studies.

Red Cell Genotyping by Multiplex PCR Identifies Antigen-Matched Blood Units for Transfusion-Dependent Thai Patients

“…Regarding the individual genotyping of Duffy, Kidd and Diego blood group systems and MNS hybrid GPs by the PCR-SSP technique, the primers and PCR conditions were identical to previous reports [14][15][16][17].…”

“…The Di a and Mi a were typed using human anti-Di a (CE-Immundiagnostika GmbH, Eschelbronn, Germany) and human anti-Mi a (National Blood Centre, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand) by conventional tube technique. Moreover, these 300 DNA samples were genotyped for Duffy, Kidd, Rh E/e, Diego, and MNS hybrid GPs by PCR-SSP [14][15][16][17]. All samples were genotyped using newly developed multiplex PCR.…”

“…Sequences of the primer combinations used in the two primer mixtures (MIX A and MIX B), the allele detected, the product size, and the specific antigens of each mixture are shown in , Di a and MNS hybrid GPs primers were identical to those previously described [14][15][16][17] while other primers were newly designed. All primers were tested for their specificities with known DNA for each genotype.…”

“…To overcome some serology limitations, the application of molecular techniques for blood group polymorphisms can make predicting blood group phenotypes possible [12,13]. At present, individual red cell genotyping for MNS hybrid GPs as well as the Kidd, Duffy and Diego blood group systems using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP), has successfully been performed in Thai blood donors [14][15][16][17]. Concern-…”

The screening of rare blood donors in a highly admixed population: A new approach for Holley and Diego genotyping and impact of genomic and self‐reported ancestry

“…In addition, the anti‐Di a and anti‐Di b antibodies may cause haemolytic disease of the newborn . The Hy‐ phenotype is rare in all the world's populations but has been observed in some African groups (1000 Genomes Project Consortium, 2015), whereas the Di(a + b‐) phenotype is rare among Europeans and Africans but has been found at a higher frequency in some Asian and Native American populations . Considering the contribution of Africans and Native Americans to the composition of the Brazilian population, Hy‐ and Di(a + b‐) are considered relevant phenotypes to haemotherapy services in this country.…”