Distribution of Blood Types and ABO Gene Frequencies in Egypt

Abstract

Abstract ABO blood group was first discovered by Landsteiner in 1901. Currently, there are more than 30 blood group systems, but ABO system remains the most clinically important of all blood groups in transfusion practice. The ABO blood group system antibodies are naturally occurring without any exposure to RBCs through transfusion or pregnancy, unlike the other blood group systems. Method The study was performed on a total of 40,591 healthy blood donors in Egypt. ABO and Rh (D) groupings were performed on all donors’ samples. Data on the frequency of ABO and Rh(D) blood groups were reported in numbers and percentages. Results The study showed that type A is the most common blood group (35.12%) in Egypt followed by O at 31.94%, followed by B at 23.12%, while AB had the least prevalence at 9.74%; A > O > B > AB. Our study showed that 91.78% of the donor population were Rh positive and 8.22% were Rh negative. The frequencies of the IA, IB, and IO alleles were calculated using the Hardy-Weinberg law of equilibrium. The calculated gene frequencies are 0.2537 for IA (p), 0.1812 for IB (q), and 0.5651 for IO (r). In the Egyptian population, O (r) records the highest value, followed by B (q) and A (p); O > B > A. The homozygous types were as follows: OO, 31.94%; AA, 6.43%; and BB, 3.28%. The heterozygous types were AO, 28.67%; BO, 20.47%; and AB, 9.78%. Conclusions The study provides the first accurate ABO gene frequency data as well as information on the distribution of ABO blood group Rh groups of various alleles in the Egyptian population. This information is very helpful in the effective management of the blood bank inventory. It will help transfusion services planning for future health challenge and improve blood transfusion practice.