title: Molecular biology of the Rh system: clinical considerations for transfusion in sickle cell disease.
abstract: The last decade has witnessed an abundance of information detailing the genetic diversity of the RH locus which has exceeded all estimates predicted by serology. Well over 120 RHD and over 60 different RHCE alleles have been documented, and new alleles are still being discovered. For clinical transfusion medicine, RH genetic testing can now be used to determine RHD zygosity, resolve D antigen status, and detect altered RHD and RHCE genes in individuals at risk for producing antibodies to high-incidence Rh antigens, particularly patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Stella T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Connie M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Westhoff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000235:genetics; D000483:Alleles; D000743:Anemia, Hemolytic / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007518:Isoantibodies; D012203:Rh Isoimmunization / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D007518:Isoantibodies; C061961:RHO(D) antibody; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System; D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin; C026410:Rho(D) antigen