Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences

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ISSN 1681-715X

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Short Communication

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Volume 22

July - September 2006

Number 3


 

Abstract
PDF of this Article

Spectrum of ABO and Rh (D) blood groups amongst
the Palestinians students at al-Azhar University – Gaza

Younis Abed EL-Wahhab Skaik1, Nermeen R. El-Zyan2

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to evaluate the distribution of ABO and Rh (D) blood groups in a sample of 1158 students of both sexes from Al-Azhar University, Gaza, in Palestine. The blood groups phenotypes were detected by the classic slide method. The frequency of ABO for both sexes can be shown with a general formula A>O>B>AB. The rhesus positive and negative distribution in both sexes was similar (97%) and (3%) respectively. The blood group A Rh (D) positive was the predominant group among both sexes while the blood group O Rh (D) negative was the commonest in both sexes.

KEY WORDS: Spectrum of ABO, Rh Group, Gaza, Palestine.

Pak J Med Sci July - September 2006 Vol. 22 No. 3 333-335


1. Dr. Younis Abed EL-Wahhab Skaik,
Department of Laboratory Medicine,
Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences,
Al-Azhar University-Gaza,
Gaza, Palestine.

2. Dr. Nermeen R. El-Zyan,
Department of Blood Transfusion,
Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza, Palestine.

Correspondence:
Dr. Younis A. Skaik,
16/46 Omar Al-Mokhtar Street,
Gaza, Palestine.
E-mail: y_skaik@hotmail.com

* Received for Publication: November 25, 2005

* Accepted: April 15, 2006


INTRODUCTION

Since 1960s there was a spirited competition to perform the first and safe blood transfusion in humans. However, most of transfusion trials failed, with no scientific explanation.1 Until the discovery of Karl Landsteiner in 1901. He discovered the first and the most important blood group system on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs), the ABO blood group system. The importance of Landsteiner’s discovery lies in firstly the transfusion of blood amongst different populations irrespective of their ethnic origin, secondly, organ transplantation,2 and finally, the development of legal medicine and anthropology.3 In 1940, Landsteiner also discovered the rhesus system, which is the second important system in blood transfusion. Our prime concern of the present study was to determine the frequencies of ABO and Rhesus D blood groups in a population sample from paramedical students.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

After approval of the project by both Laboratory Medicine Department and the Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences at Al-Azhar University, Gaza, Palestine, all subjects males (M) and females (F) were verbally informed about the goal of the study and they agreed to participate. The subjects included were residing in Gaza city or in nearby of Gaza. A total of 1158 subjects (545 M and 613 F), 18-20 year old, were included and were tested for ABO and Rh (D) blood groups. The blood samples were collected either by finger prick with a sterile lancet or by sterile syringe. Anti-A, Anti-B and Anti-D (Labkit, Barcelona, Spain) antiserum were used for blood group phenotyping by slide method.4 Manufacturer’s procedural instructions were followed. On a labeled slide a drop of anti-A, anti-B and anti-D was placed and a drop of test cells was added to each and was mixed. Results of agglutination were recorded immediately after mixing.5,6

RESULTS

The distribution of ABO blood groups in males (both rhesus positive and negative donors) is illustrated in (Table-I). Blood group A was found to be the most prevalent group (37.6%) amongst rhesus positive male students. The least frequent blood group was AB (6.6%).

In contrast, the spectrum of ABO amongst rhesus negative donors can be shown with a general formula O>A>AB>B. Similar frequency of ABO blood groups in both rhesus positive and negative was found in females (Table-II).

DISCUSSION

The antigens A and B are considered the most immunogenic, and the most important, due to their role in blood transfusion and transplantation.7 During the World Wars, it was discovered for the first time that the frequency of these antigens was different in persons native to different parts of the world.8 In the present study, which was the first to document the spectrum of ABO blood groups, the commonest blood group was A in both sexes. In contrast, the blood group O was the predominant in the West Bank, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Sudan.9-12 The blood group A was the most frequent in Nepal, Tehran, Russian Federation, Kafirs, Kalash, Lapps, North-West of England, Chitrali, Australian aborigines, Western European descent and African descents.13-18 Therefore, our study is in agreement with their findings. In all populations, group AB was the least common. For the rhesus system, the percentage of Rh positive and negative was (97.3%) and (2.7%) respectively, in both sexes. The blood group O was the dominant in Rh negative students, while blood group A was the prevalent among rhesus positive donors. A similar Rh distribution to our study was found in Azad, Jammu and Kashmir population. They found that Rh D positive and negative was (97.7%) and (2.3%) respectively.19 Our planned study was taken to document the frequency of ABO and Rh (D) blood groups in Gaza-strip. However, more comprehensive study is needed to confirm our findings.

REFERENCES

1. Myhre BA. The first recorded transfusion: 1656 to 1668. Transfusion 1990; 30(4): 358-62.

2. Sigmon JM. Basic principles of the ABO and Rh blood group systems for hemapheresis practitioners. Clin Apheresis 1992; 7: 158-62.

3. Jolly JG. Medicolegal significance of human blood groups. J Indian Med Assoc 2000; 98: 340-41.

4. Walker RH, Hoppe PA, Judd WJ. Technical Manuel. 10th ed. American Association of Blood Banks, Arlington 1990; pp.197-223.

5. Walter AH. Laboratory aspects of blood transfusion. In: Dacie SJV, Lewis SM (eds). Practical haematology 8th ed. London: Churchill Livingstone 1995; 479-97.

6. Steane EA. Basic genetics. In: Pittiglio DH (ed). Modern blood banking and transfusion practices. Philadelphia: FA Davis Co 1983; 23-53.

7. Mollison PL, Engelfriet CP, Conteras M: Immunology of red cells. In: Mollison PL, Engelfriet CP,Conteras M. Blood Transfusion in Clinical Medicine,Editors: Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications 1993; 9th Edition: 87-8.

8. Boyd WC. Genetics and races of man. Boston. Little Brown & Co 1950; 335-42.

9. AliShtayeh, MS, Hamlin A H, Fendy YR. Distribution of ABO blood groups and the Rh factor in Palestinians living in the northern part of the West Bank. Najah Res J 1988; 2(1): 35-41.

10. Marieb EN. Essentials of human anatomy and physiology. New York: The Benjamin/Cambridge Publishing Company. Ref cited in Syrian Arabs. Sud Med Ekspert 1996; 39(2): 34-6.

11. Bashwari LA, Al-Mulhim AA, Ahmad MS, Ahmed MA. Frequency of ABO blood groups in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J 2001; 22(11):1008-12.

12. Mwangi J. Blood group distribution in an urban population of patient targeted blood donors. East Afr Med J 1999; 76(11): 615-8.

13. Pramanik T, Pramanik S. Distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups in Nepalese medical students: a report. East Mediterr Health J 2000; 6(1): 156-8.

14. Amin-ud-Din M, Fazeli N, Rafiq MA, Malik S.. Serological study among the municipal employees of Tehran, Iran: distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups.. Haema 2004; 7(4): 502-4.

15. Tomilin VV, Gurtovaia SV. The incidence of finding ABO system antigens in the population of the Russian Federation. Sud Med Ekspert 1999; 42: 16-8.

16. Bernhard W. Distribution of ABO blood groups and incidence of Rh factor (D) in various ethnic groups in the Hindu Kush region (Kafirs, Kalash Chitrali). Anthropol Anz 1980; 37 : 251-4.

17. Mollison PL, Engelfriet CP,Conteras M: ABO, Lewis Ii and P Groups. In: Mollison PL, Engelfriet CP,Conteras M Blood Transfusion in Clinical Medicine, Editors: Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications 1993; 9th Edition: 150-51.

18. Overfield J, Dawson M, Hamer D. Introduction to the ABO and Rhesus blood group systems. In: CJ Pallister. Transfusion Science, Editor: Oxford 1999; 5: 72.

19. Rashid M. Gene frequency of ABO, blood groups in Azad Kashmir. [MSc thesis]. Peshawar: Department of Botany, University of Peshawar; 1983.


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