The Duffy blood group system in the Tunisian population.
BACKGROUND
Tunisia was described to as genetically heterogenous. Besides the 1% native Berber, the genetically influence of the Europeans seems much larger than that of sub-Saharan populations. Due to their ethnic variability, blood group variants have the potential to support population analyses. The aim of this study was to estimate the Duffy blood group system in this mixed population with enhanced characterization of samples with aberrant expression.


METHODS
Standard serological testing for the Duffy antigen was done for 105 Tunisian blood donors. Samples with altered Fy expression underwent DNA sequencing of the DARC, RHD and RHCE genes.


RESULTS
The Fy(a-b+) was the most common phenotype identified in the Tunisian population (38.1%). Five samples with Fy(a-b-) phenotype were determined as FY*02N.01/FY*02N.01 by a homozygous occurrence of the FY*B-67C>T alteration. Another three individuals exhibited a Fy(b+(w))Fy(x) expression, confirmed by a FY*A/FY*02M.01 (n = 1) and a FY*02M.01/FY*02M.01 (n = 2) genotype. RHD and RHCE sequencing (n= 8) revealed altered alleles observed in black populations in 5 samples. One individual with FY*02M.01/FY*02M.01 have the silent 165C>T nucleotide substitution each in the RHD and RHCE gene.


CONCLUSIONS
The composition of blood group variants determined in this study confirms the genetically proximity of Tunisia to Europe. The small sub-Saharan genetic influence was approved by a limited number of variant samples associated with the black population.
Centre régional de transfusion sanguine, hôpital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.
M
M
Ouchari
Centre régional de transfusion sanguine, hôpital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.
H
H
Romdhane
Centre régional de transfusion sanguine, hôpital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.
T
T
Chakroun
Centre régional de transfusion sanguine, hôpital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.
S
S
Abdelkefi
Centre régional de transfusion sanguine, hôpital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.
I
I
Jarrey
Centre régional de transfusion sanguine, hôpital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.
B
B
Houissa
Centre régional de transfusion sanguine, hôpital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia. Electronic address: saloua.jemni@rns.tn.
S
S
Jemni Yacoub
D044383:Black People / Q000235:genetics*; D004375:Duffy Blood-Group System / Q000235:genetics*; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014416:Tunisia
D004375:Duffy Blood-Group System
Aberrant RH alleles; Allèle RH aberrant; Duffy; Tunisia; Tunisie