Red blood cell frequencies and genetic polymorphisms of various blood grouping systems in the emirati population

Background and objectives

Data on the frequencies of RBC antigens and their variants in the Arab world are limited. Thus, determining the antigenic profile of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population by serologic and molecular methods is significant to enhance operational efficiency in donor centres and transfusion services.

Study design and methods

The study is a retrospective retrieval of serologic and genotype data. The serological ABO type data of 30 954 UAE national donors, the serological RHD and RHCE data of 10 036 UAE national donors, and the genotype data of 354 patients and donors of admixed nationalities for determining different blood group systems were retrieved and analysed.

Results

Rh D negative (dccee) phenotype in the UAE national donor population is lower compared to the reported Rh D negative phenotype in the European population (6·8% vs. 18%) and there were a high number of variants observed in the patient and donor populations, especially in the RhCE and Duffy blood group systems (12·1% and 59·3%, respectively).

Conclusion

High number of variants and rare blood group profiles were observed and the gene pool of the Emirati nationals, as well as their antigenic frequencies, is an intermediate between the European and African populations rather than the Asian gene pool.