title: Blood group typing in five Afghan populations in the North Hindu-Kush region: implications for blood transfusion practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Blood incompatibility arises from individual and ethnic differences in red blood cell (RBC) antigen profiles. This underlines the importance of documenting RBC antigen variability in various ethnic groups. Central Asia is an area with a long and complex migratory history. The purpose of this article is to describe key antigen frequencies of Afghan ethnic groups in the Hindu-Kush region of Afghanistan as a basis for improving blood transfusion practices in that area.
  
  
  METHODS
  The key ABO, Rh and Kell antigens were investigated in five Afghan populations. In order to depict accurately the blood group gene diversity in the area, DNA from eight additional Pakistani populations were included, and the entire sample set screened using two multiplex polymerase chain reactions sensitive for 17 alleles in 10 blood group genetic systems (MNS, Kell, Duffy, Kidd, Cartwright, Dombrock, Indian, Colton, Diego and Landsteiner-Wiener).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Phenotype and allele frequencies fell within the ranges observed in Western European and East Asian populations. Occurrence of DI*01, IN*01, LW*07 and FY*02N.01 and prevalence of ABO*B were consistent with migratory history as well as with putative environmental adaptation in the subtropical environment Hindu-Kush region.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings expand the current knowledge about key antigen frequencies. Regarding occurrence of viral markers, further blood transfusion in the region requires rigorous typing.
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, EFS, ADÉS, UMR 7268, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazières
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Temory
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vasseur
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gallian
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Di Cristofaro
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chiaroni
mesh_terms: D000346:Afghanistan / Q000208:ethnology; D000483:Alleles; D001789:Blood Group Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D001788:Blood Grouping and Crossmatching; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype
chemical_list: D001789:Blood Group Antigens