Sporadic occurrence of Diego A antigens and antibodies in Berlin.
BACKGROUND
The antigen Dia is common among Mongols (5-12%), but rare in Caucasians (< 1%).


OBJECTIVE
The accidental discovery of Diego A (Dia) antibodies in a South American tourist and in an elderly German patient prompted us to investigate the frequency of Dia antigens in the German population.


METHODS
1,352 German random blood donors, all living in Berlin or in the areas around, were tested for the presence of the Dia antigen on their red blood cells. All donors were Caucasians.


RESULTS
Dia was found in 12 individuals (0.89%).


CONCLUSIONS
We think that Dia is a low-frequency antigen in the European population. The admixture of Mongol genes following wars or migration is only of low or no importance.
Abteilung Innere Medizin und Poliklinik m.S. Hämatologie und Onkologie, Universitätsklinikum Rudolf Virchow, Freie Universität Berlin, FRG.
H G
HG
Heuft
T
T
Zeiler
J
J
Zingsem
R
R
Eckstein
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001604:Berlin / Q000453:epidemiology; D001782:Blood Donors; D001788:Blood Grouping and Crossmatching; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000235:genetics*; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011468:Prostatectomy; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000097:blood
D007518:Isoantibodies; D007519:Isoantigens