Molecular basis of Rh blood group system in the Malaysian population.
BACKGROUND
Rh molecular studies have been previously mainly conducted in Caucasians and African population. There is a limited data on the molecular basis for Rh genotypes among Asians.


OBJECTIVE
This study aims to characterize the Rh genes and frequency of the various RH genotypes among blood donors in National Blood Centre (NBC), Kuala Lumpur.


METHODS
A total of 1014 blood samples were obtained from blood donors from four different ethnic groups (360 Malays, 434 Chinese, 164 Indians and 56 others). Serological and molecular analysis of all 1014 blood samples were performed. An automated deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing analysis was performed.


RESULTS
Rh phenotypes and RH genotypes showed heterogeneity and significant association with ethnicities. Discrepancies in allele D, C/c and E/e between phenotypes and genotypes results were observed. Discrepancy results in allele D showed significant association with the ethnic groups of the blood donors in NBC. There were multiple novel mutations (23) and published mutations (5) found in this study. Significant associations between discrepancy results and mutations were found in allele D and C/c.


CONCLUSIONS
Performing RH molecular analysis in Malaysian population provided the basic database for the distribution of Rh genotypes of donors from major ethnic groups in Malaysia.
Regenerative Medicine Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, Pulau Penang, Malaysia ; Immunohematology Division, National Blood Center, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Rozi Hanisa
RH
Musa
Medical Research Resource Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Nor Asiah
NA
Muhamad
Immunohematology Division, National Blood Center, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Afifah
A
Hassan
Immunohematology Division, National Blood Center, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Yasmin
Y
Ayob
Regenerative Medicine Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, Pulau Penang, Malaysia.
Narazah Mohd
NM
Yusoff
Allele; Rh genotypes; Rh molecular; Rh phenotypes