title: Systematic RH genotyping and variant identification in French donors of African origin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  RH molecular analysis has enabled the documentation of numerous variants of RHD and RHCE alleles, especially in individuals of African origin. The aim of the present study was to determine the type and frequency of D and/or RhCE variants among blood donors of African origin in France, by performing a systematic RH molecular analysis, in order to evaluate the implications for blood transfusion of patients of African origin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples from 316 African blood donors, whose origin was established by their Fy(a-b-) phenotype, were first analysed using the RHD and RHCE BeadChips Kit (BioArray Solutions, Immucor, Warren, NJ, USA). Sequencing was performed when necessary.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RHD molecular analysis showed that 26.2% of donors had a variant RHD allele. It allowed the prediction of a partial D in 11% of cases. RHCE molecular analysis showed that 14.2% of donors had a variant RHCE allele or RH [RN or (C)ces] haplotype. A rare Rh phenotype associated with the loss of a high-prevalence antigen or partial RhCE antigens were predicted from RHCE molecular analysis in 1 (0.3%) and 17 (5%) cases, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Systematic RHD and RHCE molecular analysis performed in blood donors of African origin provides transfusion-relevant information for individuals of African origin because of the frequency of variant RH alleles. RH molecular analysis may improve transfusion therapy of patients by allowing better donor and recipient matching, based not only on phenotypically matched red blood cell units, but also on units that are genetically matched with regards to RhCE variants.
authors.affiliation: National Blood Transfusion Institute, National Reference Centre for Blood Groups - INSERM U665, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Sandrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kappler-Gratias
authors.affiliation: National Blood Transfusion Institute, National Reference Centre for Blood Groups - INSERM U665, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Carine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Auxerre
authors.affiliation: National Blood Transfusion Institute, National Reference Centre for Blood Groups - INSERM U665, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dubeaux
authors.affiliation: French Blood Institute, Lille, France.
authors.forename: Marylise
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beolet
authors.affiliation: National Blood Transfusion Institute, National Reference Centre for Blood Groups - INSERM U665, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Maryline
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ripaux
authors.affiliation: National Blood Transfusion Institute, National Reference Centre for Blood Groups - INSERM U665, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Pierre-Yves
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Le Pennec
authors.affiliation: National Blood Transfusion Institute, National Reference Centre for Blood Groups - INSERM U665, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Bach-Nga
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Pham
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D000483:Alleles; D044383:Black People / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D005787:Gene Frequency; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D060005:Genotyping Techniques; D006239:Haplotypes / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C066468:RHCE protein, human; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System; C026410:Rho(D) antigen