Allele and Genotype Frequencies of the ABO Blood Group System in a Palestinian Population

Abstract

The ABO blood group system is one of the most important blood type in clinical practice. Currently, there is no information on the ABO genotype and allele frequency from Gaza strip. Data from this study will be useful for workers and the field and for future clinical applications of ABO genotyping in our area. This study was conducted in order to determine the major ABO alleles' and genotypes' frequencies in a Palestinian population residing in Gaza Strip. A four separate–reaction multiplex allele specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) was used to determine the ABO genotypes of 201 unrelated subjects whose DNA, extracted from peripheral blood, was subjected to genotyping. The study revealed the following genotypes: A 1 A 1 (n=3), A 1 O 1 (n=24), A 1 O 2 (n=25), A 1 A 2 (n=4), A 2 A 2 (n=2), A 2 O 1 (n=13), A 2 O 2 (n=2), B 1 B 1 (n=5), B 1 O 1 (n=26), B 1 O 2 (n=14), A 1 B (n=11), A 2 B (n=4) , O 1 O 1 (n=31) , O 1 O 2 (n=26) and O 2 O 2 (n=11), from which the deduced phenotypes were: A (n=73), B (n=45), AB (n=15) and O (n=68). The frequencies of the A 1 , A 2 , B 1 , O 1 , O 2 alleles were: 0. 174, 0.067, 0.162, 0.376 and 0.221, respectively. There was no deviation between genotype-derived phenotypes results and serologically determined phenotypes. Additionally, the genotype distribution was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. ABO genotyping must be considered when determining ABO phenotypes, in blood transfusion, tissue/organ transplantation, blood typing discrepancies and forensic/paternity testing investigations.