Genetic polymorphisms of human platelet antigens-1 to -6, and -15 in the Malaysian population.
BACKGROUND
Human platelet antigens (HPA) are determinant in several platelet-specific alloimmune disorders, such as neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, post-transfusion purpura and platelet transfusion refractoriness. The distribution of HPA systems in the Malaysian population is not known. Defining the patterns of HPA systems provides a basis for risk assessment and management of the above complications.


METHODS
The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of HPA -1 to -6 and -15 in the three major ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese and Indian) in the Malaysian population. A total of 600 random donor samples, 200 from each of the three ethnic groups, were genotyped by means of real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with hydrolysis probes and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).


RESULTS
The most common genotype observed in this study was HPA-1a/1a-2a/2a-3a/3b-4a/4a-5a/5a-6a/6a-15a/15b (17%) followed by HPA-1a/1a-2a/2a-3a/3a-4a/4a-5a/5a-6a/6a-15a/15b (14.33%). The allele frequencies of HPA in Malays and Chinese were found to be similar those of other East and South-East Asian populations, while those of Indians were comparable to the frequencies found in Europeans.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study have been useful for determining the distribution of HPA polymorphisms in this region and for potential clinical implications.
Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Jia-Yi
JY
Tan
Lay-Hoong
LH
Lian
Veera Sekaran
VS
Nadarajan
D000483:Alleles; D054458:Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis / Q000379:methods; D016824:Antigens, Human Platelet / Q000235:genetics*; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D001782:Blood Donors; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics
D016824:Antigens, Human Platelet