title: [Applications of RHD zygosity test through polymerase chain reaction for prediction of fetus Rh D-positive phenotype].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore a molecular method for the determination of RHD zygosity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two pairs of primers were designed specific for downstream rhesus box and hybrid rhesus box according to the sequences in GenBank. Together with a pair of internal control primer, a dual-tube polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was established for determination of the RHD zygosity. Thirty RhD-positive, D-negative and weak D phenotype samples were evaluated by taking a recent restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method as reference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the dual-tube PCR and RFLP are identical in 29 samples, which are also in concordance with the Rh phenotype, respectively. In one weak D sample, however, both methods tested as RHD(-)/RHD(-), which showed that there was one RHD(-) haplotype in this individual, but a false negative result in testing downstream rhesus box.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The dual-tube PCR is a less-labored method for RHD zygosity detection. It can be used clinically in prenatal test to determine RHD zygosity of pregnant women's partner for prediction of fetus RhD phenotype.
authors.affiliation: Shenzhen Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Shenzhen 518035, China.
authors.forename: Chao-peng
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Shao
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D005838:Genotype; D006579:Heterozygote; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System; C026410:Rho(D) antigen; D004247:DNA