title: Erythrocyte membrane antigen frequencies in patients with Type II congenital smell loss.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine whether there are genetic factors associated with Type II congenital smell loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression frequencies of 16 erythrocyte antigens among patients with Type II congenital smell loss were determined and compared to those of a large control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples were obtained from 99 patients with Type II congenital smell loss. Presence of the erythrocyte surface antigens A, B, M, N, S, s, Fy(a), Fy(b), D, C, c, E, e, K, Jk(a), and Jk(b) was analyzed by blood group serology. Comparisons of expression frequencies of these antigens were made between the patients and a large control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients tested for the Duffy b antigen (Fy(b) haplotype) exhibited a statistically significant 11% decrease in expression frequency compared to the controls. There were no significant differences between patients and controls in the expression frequencies for all other erythrocyte antigens (A, B, M, N, S, s, Fy(a), D, C, c, E, e, K, Jk(a), or Jk(b)).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings describe the presence of a previously unrevealed genetic tendency among patients with Type II congenital smell loss related to erythrocyte surface antigen expression. The deviation in expression rate of Duffy b suggests a target gene and chromosome region in which future research into this form of congenital smell loss may reveal a more specific genetic basis for Type II congenital smell loss.
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Nutrition and Sensory Disorders, The Taste and Smell Clinic, 5125 MacArthur Blvd, NW, #20, Washington, DC, United States. Electronic address: wstateman@gmail.com.
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Stateman
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Nutrition and Sensory Disorders, The Taste and Smell Clinic, 5125 MacArthur Blvd, NW, #20, Washington, DC, United States. Electronic address: doc@tasteandsmell.com.
authors.forename: Robert I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Henkin
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Nutrition and Sensory Disorders, The Taste and Smell Clinic, 5125 MacArthur Blvd, NW, #20, Washington, DC, United States. Electronic address: abknoppel@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alexandra B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Knöppel
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion Medicine, NIH Clinical Center, 10 Center Drive-MSC 1184, Building 10, Room 1C711, Bethesda, MD, United States. Electronic address: flegelwa@cc.nih.gov.
authors.forename: Willy A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Flegel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001789:Blood Group Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004375:Duffy Blood-Group System / Q000235:genetics*; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000151:congenital* / Q000235:genetics*; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D004375:Duffy Blood-Group System