Rare blood types in the Asia Pacific region

Abstract

Rare blood types are generally defined as those that occur at a frequency of 1 : 1000 or less. However, some rare blood types have much different frequencies in global regions or specific ethnic groups. This review explores rare blood types in the following categories: rare blood types that lack high‐frequency antigens and where to find them, rare blood types that express low‐frequency antigens, rare blood types with higher or lower frequencies in the Asia Pacific region and rare blood types that are difficult to find in the Asia Pacific region but are provided by the JRC. In addition, the study of rare blood types has revealed clinical correlations with disease states and resistance to infections.

Prevalence and molecular basis of null blood group phenotypes in the Korean population: Analysis using a public database

“…The Jr(aÀ) phenotype is rare in Caucasians but is not so rare in Asians. 18,19 In this study, the prevalence of the Jr(aÀ) phenotype was estimated to be 0.0453% in the Korean population, highly similar to that reported in the Japanese population (0.05%). 18 The JR blood group system currently contains more than 25 null alleles recognized by ISBT, 13 and among them, four were identified in this study.…”

“…Although molecular assays targeting SID * 01N.01 can be useful for detecting the Sd(a−) phenotype, finding Sd(a−) donors is of little clinical importance. The Jr(a−) phenotype is rare in Caucasians but is not so rare in Asians 18,19 . In this study, the prevalence of the Jr(a−) phenotype was estimated to be 0.0453% in the Korean population, highly similar to that reported in the Japanese population (0.05%) 18 .…”