The breed prevalence of dog erythrocyte antigen 1.1 in the Onderstepoort area of South Africa and its significance in selection of canine blood donors.

L.L Van Der Merwe,J.G Pretorius,L.S Jacobson

doi:10.4102/jsava.v73i2.555

L.L Van Der Merwe, J.G Pretorius + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.4102/jsava.v73i2.555

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Journal: Journal of the South African Veterinary Association	Publication Date: Jul 6, 2002
Citations: 24	License type: CC BY 4.0

Abstract

The blood group antigen Dog Erythrocyte Antigen (DEA) 1.1 is clinically the most important canine blood group as DEA 1.1 antibodies are capable of causing acute haemolytic, potentially life-threatening transfusion reactions. Dogs do not have naturally occurring antibodies to DEA 1.1 but are rapidly sensitised by the first incompatible transfusion. The prevalence of DEA 1.1 in the general dog population is estimated at 42-46%. Canine blood donors registered with the Onderstepoort Animal Blood Bank (n = 93) as well as potential donors (n = 140) were typed for DEA 1.1 using a monoclonal antibody card kit. All dogs came from the Onderstepoort area, near Pretoria, Gauteng province, South Africa. Overall prevalence of DEA 1.1 was 47%. Prevalence was 47% in purebred dogs and 48% in mongrels. Distinct breed differences were noted with less than 20% of German shepherd dogs and Boxers and greater than 75% of Rottweilers, Great Danes, St Bernards and Dalmations testing DEA 1.1 positive. Knowledge of local breed differences will increase effectiveness of blood donor recruitment.

Highlights

Canine blood group antigens are referred to as dog erythrocyte antigens (DEA)
The frequency of DEA 1.1 in this population of dogs in the northern part of South Africa was similar to frequencies reported in dog populations elsewhere[2,10,15,18]
No effort was made to determine the lineage of the dogs, none were from breeding kennels/programmes, and any shared parentage would have been coincidental

Summary

Introduction

Canine blood group antigens are referred to as dog erythrocyte antigens (DEA). 6 DEA can be routinely identified in blood typing schemes, namely DEA 1.1, 1.2, 3, 4, 5, and 710. The antisera for 6 and 8 have been lost. All DEA except DEA 7 are constitutional proteins of the erythrocyte membrane[3]. Canine blood group antigens are inherited according to an independent autosomal dominant model[4]. The DEA 1 group occurs as a multiple allele with DEA 1.1 dominant over DEA 1.2 (i.e. DEA 1.1 and 1.2 cannot both be phenotypically present)[4]

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