Frequencies of ABO & Rhesus Blood Group Systems Phenotypes in Al Arakieen Ethnic Group

Abstract

An intention was made to measure the frequencies of ABO and Rh phenotypes among Al Arakieen tribe. A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted during the period from 1st April to 30th June. A total of 100 unrelated persons were investigated by direct agglutination test and thirty of them were further tested by gel immunodiffusion technique. The study reveal that the highest frequent ABO blood group phenotype in the study population is group O (40.0 %), followed by group A (30.0 %), group B (26.0 %), and group AB (4.0 %). On the other hand, Rhesus (e) antigen was found in all individuals in the study population, c (96.0%), D (91.0 %), C (48.0 %) and E (18.0 %). No significant statistical association was found between ABO and Rh blood group systems, as well as between gender and both blood group systems. Moreover, the association between the direct agglutination and immunodiffusion techniques was found to be insignificant with 100% sensitivity and specificity. It was concluded that, ABO and Rh compatibility should be performed for all Al arakieen tribe donors and recipient. Moreover, the direct agglutination technique is more sensitive, specific as well as it is inexpensive. So it was recommended to apply this technique in Sudanese blood banks for the detection of ABO and Rh antigens.