Background: The usefulness of DNA genotyping for RBC antigens as a tool for the management of multiply-transfused patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) to overcome the limitations of hemagglutination assays was evaluated.
Study design and methods: Blood samples from 40 multiply-transfused SCD patients were studied by hemagglutination and by PCR-RFLP for antigens or genes in the Rh (D, C/c, E/e), Kell, Kidd, and Duffy systems.
Results: Discrepancies were found between hemaglutination and DNA typing test results in six patients: two were discrepant in Rh typing (one was D- by hemagglutination and RhD by DNA, and one was E+e- and RhEe by DNA), two were discrepant in Duffy typing [both were Fy(a+b-) and Fy(b)/Fy(b) by DNA], and four were discrepant in Kidd typing [Jk(a+b+) and Jk(b)/Jk(b) by DNA; two of these samples were also discrepant in Duffy]. Stored segments from blood units that had been recently transfused to these six recipients were phenotyped, confirming that the transfused RBCs were the source of the discrepancy between genotype and phenotype.
Conclusion: DNA typing of blood groups by PCR-RFLP in peripheral blood WBCs contributes to the management of transfusions in SCD patients by allowing a more accurate selection of donor units.