D variants in the population of D‐negative blood donors in the north‐eastern region of Croatia

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine RHESUS D GENE (RHD) allelic variants among Croatian D‐negative blood donors and compare our results with respective data from other European countries. Background Altered or reduced D antigen expression can result in D variants, which can be mistyped...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Transfusion medicine (Oxford, England) England), 2021-02, Vol.31 (1), p.43-47
Main Authors: Safic Stanic, Hana, Dogic, Vesna, Herceg, Ivona, Jagnjic, Sandra, Bingulac‐Popovic, Jasna, Babic, Ivana, Corusic, Ante, Jukic, Irena
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
D antigen
D variant
partial D
RHD genotyping
weak D
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Summary:Objectives The aim of this study was to determine RHESUS D GENE (RHD) allelic variants among Croatian D‐negative blood donors and compare our results with respective data from other European countries. Background Altered or reduced D antigen expression can result in D variants, which can be mistyped and can lead to the alloimmunisation of the blood recipient. RHD genotyping can distinguish D variants: weak D, partial D and DEL, thus preventing alloimmunisation. Material/methods A total of 6523 samples obtained from D‐negative Croatian donors were screened for the presence of RHD using the real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. PCR‐SSP was performed for D variant genotyping by using commercial genotyping kits (Inno‐Train, Kronberg, Germany). Genomic DNA sequencing for all 10 exons of the RHD was performed when the genotyping kits failed to assign a D variant. Results RHD molecular screening revealed 23 (0.35%) RHD‐PCR positive samples, all C/E positive, in decreasing frequency: 11 hybrid RHD‐CE (2‐9) D‐CE variants, 4 weak partial D type 11 and 2 weak D type 2. Six samples remained unresolved and were sequenced. For 12 of 23 samples (excluding large hybrids), an adsorption/elution of anti‐D serum was performed, confirming that all 12 were RhD+. The calculated frequency of clinically significant D alleles in RhD‐negative blood donors was 1:543 (0.18%) or 1:53 (1.89%) in C/E blood donors. Conclusion Data on the significant frequency of D variants among serologically D‐negative blood donors in the north‐eastern region of Croatia could help in introducing RHD molecular screening of blood donors in a routine workflow.
ISSN:0958-7578
1365-3148
DOI:10.1111/tme.12726