Prevalance of serologic weak D in Rh D negative blood donors in India: Immunohematological problems & recommendations for donors

Abstract

The Rhesus (Rh) system is one of the most complex blood group systems in humans. In some individuals Rh D antigen show weaker expression on red cells. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of serologic weak D in north India and associated immunohematological problems.Cell and serum grouping were performed on all sample with the help of Qwalys 2 & Qwalys 3 (Diagast, France). All Rh D negatives samples in routine blood grouping were subjected to serologic weak D testing with the help of Erythrocytes Magnetized (EM) Technology.Total 65,407 whole blood donors were tested for blood grouping in the study period. Prevalence of serologic weak D phenotype in this study was 1.11% of Rh negative donors. The maximum number of serologic weak D phenotype were from B blood group, i.e. 13 (37.14%). The prevalence of serologic weak D varies in different part of India as well as in the world. This study reported 1.11% prevalence of serologic weak D among Rh D negative blood donors. All serologic weak D positive individuals should give a blood group card showing their Rh D status as donor and recipient. Some European centers started routine RHD gene screening of first-time donors to eliminate the risk of Rh D sensitization. Molecular testing is very costly.For developing countries like India we required an affordable molecular testing technique to improve patient care or alternatively establish reference molecular laboratory for cost effectiveness.