Rare blood donors screening by multiplex PCR methods in Chinese Zhuang and Dong population and pedigree analysis

There are little data available regarding the frequencies of the blood group antigens other than ABO and RhD in the Chinese Zhuang and Dong population. Knowledge of the antigen frequencies is important to assess risk of antibody formation and to guide the probability of finding antigen-negative donor blood, which is especially useful when blood is required for a patient who has multiple red cell alloantibodies. The aim of this study is sought to massively screen for rare blood donors with antigen-negative (e.g. Fy (a-), s-, k-, Di (b-) and Js (b-)) in an ethnic Zhuang and Dong population of China, for providing precious rare blood type materials which can be used to improve the capability of compatible infusion and reduce the transfusion reactions. Finally, inheritance of the Fy (a-), s-, k-, Di (b-) and Js (b-) phenotypes was investigated by pedigree analysis. We screened for Fy (a-), s-, k-, Di (b-) and Js (b-) phenotypes in blood donors by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. The rare phenotypes Fy (a-), s-, k-, Di (b-) and Js (b-) were verified by flow cytometry and sequencing analysis. The results indicated that there are five Fy (a-), three s (-), two Di (b-) in 4490 Zhuang random samples and three Fy (a-) in 1927 Dong random samples. In conclusion, this study is the first small step to create a rare donor data bank for Chinese Zhuang and Dong population and to prepare antigen negative compatible blood to patients with multiple alloantibodies.