The Distribution of ABO and Rhesus Antigens and the Presence of Irregular Antibodies to Rhesus Antigens in Individuals Resident in the Centre Region of Cameroon

Abstract

The Rhesus blood group is the second most clinically significant blood group system after the ABO. Like the ABO blood group system, the distribution of the Rhesus antigens varies from one population to another. A cross sectional study was designed to determine the distribution of the ABO and Rhesus antigens, as well as irregular antibodies against Rhesus antigens in the study area. The ABO and Rhesus blood groups were determined by the use of monoclonal antibodies and irregular antibodies were determined by detection of anti-human globulin on washed red blood cells. Of the 126 participants, O (44.44%) was the most prevalent ABO blood group followed by A (31.7%), B (17.46%) and AB (6.34%). 118 (93.65%) of the 126 participants were Rhesus-D positive and only 8 (6.35%) were Rhesus-D negative. The distribution of the other Rhesus antigens in decreasing order of prevalence were c (99.21%), e (95.24%), E (31.75%) and C (14.28%). ccDee (57.15%) was the most prevalent Rhesus phenotype while CCdee (0.79%) and ccD (0.79%) were the least prevalent. Of the 50 cross-match samples that were tested for irregular antibodies, 18 (36%) had irregular antibodies. The prevalence of irregular antibodies was 12 (24%) anti-E, 9 (18%) anti-C and 2 (4%) anti-e.These findings are similar to that of many studies performed elsewhere but yet also differ considerably with many other studies performed in other areas. This emphasizes the need for studies like this to be performed on different populations in different areas.