Frequency of antigens in Rh and Kell blood system in blood donors

Introduction: Immunologic studies performed on blood donors are directed to provide a transfusion therapy compatible with ABO blood group system and Rh system D antigen in the recipient. However, as a way to increase transfusion safety, the interest of expanding the range of antigens to determine and therefore to be tested for compatibility prior to a blood transfusion, arises. Aim: To determine the frequency of the five major antigens of Rh. system and K1 and K2 antigens of the Kell system in blood donors. Methods: Cross-sectional study including 200 randomly selected voluntary blood donors from Centro Productivo Regional de Sangre del Maule (CPRSM). Phenotyping of five major antigens of Rh. system and K1 and K2 Kell system antigens was carried out. The tube hemagglutination technique with monospecific Coombs sera and DG Gel ® was used. The Rh. system D, C, c, E, e antigens and Kell system K1 and K2 antigen phenotypic frequencies were calculated in percentages. The most likely Rh.genotype was determined from the phenotype frequency of this system. Similarly, in Kell system the genotype frequency was determined based on phenotype. Results: In the Rh.system, 96 percent of the samples studied had D antigen; 97.5 percent had the e antigen, and 35.5 percent the E antigen. Antigen C was present in 79 percent and c in 65.5 percent. The most frequent Rh. genotype was CDe/CDe. In Kell system, K1 antigen presented a frequency of 4 percent, while antigen K2 presented a 99.5 percent. Regarding genotypic frequency, a 96 percent of the population showed a K2 (kk) homozygous genotype(AU) Conclusion: The frequency of the seven antigens studied is similar to that described in other populations(AU)