Gene identification of rare B(A) blood group

Abstract

ObjectiveTo study serologic and gene characteristics of the B(A) blood group of blood donation volunteers in Jilin Province, China. MethodsABO subgroups were identified by standard serologic techniques in ABO typing discrepancy samples from all donors at the Jilin Blood Center (410,354 non-repeat donors). DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) was collected from each sample and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) was used to sequence exons 6 and 7 and intron 6, part 5 from the ABO subgroup samples. PCR products were sequenced to identify ABO subgroups and the B(A) allele. ResultsFour cases of B(A) blood type were found after sequencing, including two different alleles: B(A)02 and B(A)04. Three of the four alleles were B(A)04. ConclusionAmong blood donation volunteers in Jilin Province, China, B(A)04 is the most common B(A) blood group allele, followed by B(A)02. The B(A) blood group is associated with a complicated serologic phenotype and DNA detection is necessary for this atypical phenotype sample.