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Correlation between serology and genetics of weak D types in Denmark
Author(s) -
Christiansen Mette,
Samuelsen Betina,
Christiansen Lene,
Morbjerg Trine,
Bredahl Conny,
Grunnet Niels
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2007.01504.x
Subject(s) - serology , typing , genotyping , blood typing , serotype , biology , blood type (non human) , genetics , immunology , genotype , antibody , gene
BACKGROUND: To date more than 100 variant D types have been reported and the frequencies vary among populations. Blood donor typing should reveal all donors expressing D antigens, while patient typing should prevent the development of anti‐D in patients with a D– or variant D blood type. Serotyping is the standard method to assign transfusion strategies, whereas molecular classification offers a more specific grouping of weak and partial D. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood donor and patient samples with discrepant results of D phenotyping were collected to investigate the frequency of weak D subtypes in Denmark and to evaluate currently used serologic methods. RESULTS: Nine different weak D types were identified among the 101 samples. Weak D Types 1, 2, and 3 constituted 80 percent of the analyzed samples and 10 percent of the samples identified as weak D from serology were actually partial D. CONCLUSION: The distribution of weak D types in Denmark was found to resemble the distribution in Northern Germany in respect to the three most prevalent weak D types. Correctly defining all samples that show weak reactions in D typing as weak D or partial D is not possible with serotyping alone; genotyping offers the only exact categorization. Serology is superior for routine blood typing, however.