Frequency of ABO, Rhesus (D) and Kell (Kpa, Kpb) antigens and phenotypes in Albataheen Sudanese tribe

Abstract

This descriptive, prospective and analytical study aimed to determine the frequencies of Kell antigens (Kpa, Kpb), phenotypes and genotypes, ABO blood group system phenotypes and Rhesus (D) factor. The study was conducted in Albataheen Sudanese tribe during the period of three months from April to July 2007, following informed consent, a total of 100 venous blood samples were collected into 2.5 ml EDTA container from unrelated individuals. The red blood cells were tested for Kell antigens (Kpa, Kpb) by using the particle gel immunodiffusion, for ABO blood group system and Rhesus (D) antigen using saline agglutination technique and Du for the negative results. The study showed that the O phenotype was commonest with the frequency of (47%), followed by A (26%), B (21%) and AB (6%). The Rhesus (D) was high frequent (96%). In Kell blood group system the Kpb was the commonest antigen with the frequency of (100%), while the Kpa antigen was low frequent (1 %). The phenotype Kp (a-b+) was the high frequency (99%), Kp (a+b+) was low frequent (1%) and the phenotype Kp (a+b-) was not found. The genotype Kpb/Kpb was high frequent (99%), Kpa/Kpb was low frequent (1%), and the genotype Kpa/Kpa was not found. The result of this study were compared with the results of other Sudanese ethnic group in the same system and were found that there were similarities in some ABO blood group and Rh (D) factor with the Arrakein, Alshokria, Danagala and Shaigia and there were difference with the Halaween, Miseria and Nuba, while in the Kell blood group system (Kpa&Kpb) there was no previous study in Sudanese ethnic group. In conclusion there was similarity between Sudanese tribes that lived in same area and this result from interaction and intermarriage between them, while there were differences between the tribes that lived in different geographical area.