Frequencies of ABO, Rhesus (D) and Kell (KEL1 and KEL2) Antigens and phenotypes among Al-Shukria Sudanese Group

Abstract

This was descriptive, prospective and analytical study that was aimed to determine the frequencies of Kell (KEL1 and KEL2) antigens and phenotypes also to determine the ABO blood group antigens and Rh (D) factor. The study was conducted in Al-Shukria tribe during the period of three months (April to June 2007) following informed consent, a total of 100 venous blood samples were collected in 2.5 ml of blood EDTA containers from unrelated individual. The red cells were tested for Kell (KEL1 and KEL2) antigens by using ID-Gel micro typing system, for ABO blood group system and Rh (D) factor using slide method and Du method for negative results the results were analyzed using SPSS computer program and the similarities between study tribe and other Sudanese tribes and with other countries were calculated by Jacard's coefficient similarities. The results were showed that the O phenotype was common with the frequency (58%), followed by the A blood group with intermediate frequency (24%) and B blood group with frequency of (14%) and the least common was found to be AB blood group (4%). The Rhesus (D) was found to be most common (96%). In Kell blood group system the KEL2 was the commonest antigen (100%), while the KEL1 antigen was least common with the frequency (2%) among the study group. The phenotype (K-k+) was the commonest frequent (98%), while the phenotype (K+k+) was least common frequent (2%) and the phenotype (K+k-) was not found among the study group. The result were compared with the results of other Sudanese tribes in the same system and were found that there similarity in some ABO blood group and Rh (D) factor with the Al-Danagla, Al-Shagia and there were differences with the Al-Miseria, Al-Hadandawa and Al-Nuba. While in the Kell blood system found that there similarity with the Al-Arrakein tribe. When results were compared with other populations, revealed that the frequency of ABO was found to be close to people from African region such as Nigerian and Kenyan populations also similar to Punjab (Pakistan), and far from Indian and British populations. The frequency of Rhesus D was found to be close to Nigerian population and Black Americans, and far from Kenyan, British and White Americans population. We conclude that the similarities between Sudanese tribes resulting from intermarriage between them, while the differences between the tribes that leaving in different geographical area.