Rhesus and kell phenotyping of voluntary blood donors: Foundation of a donor data bank

Objective: To assess the Rhesus (Rh) and Kell (K) phenotype of voluntary blood donors and lay foundation of a data bank of voluntary blood donors. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Blood Bank, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, in the year 2014. Methodology: Voluntary blood donors were inducted after taking written informed consent. Three -5cc of EDTA anticoagulated blood sample was taken to phenotype red cells for C, c, E, e, and Kell antigens using antisera. [DiaMed- Switzerland]. Results: Hundred blood donors were included in the study. ABO blood groups of the donors were: O [37%], B [31%], A [21%] and AB [11%]. Ninety-seven percent were Rh D positive while 3% were Rh D negative; 'e' antigen had the highest frequency [99%], while 'E' antigen was the least frequent [19%]. The most common probable Rh phenotype was R1R1 ((DCe/DCe) in 44 [44%]. In the Kell system, all the donors [100%] had phenotype of K-k+. Conclusion: The most common blood group was O +ve. The pattern of Rhesus antigen expression and phenotype found in this study was concordant to that reported previously from Asia. However, there was a much lower frequency of K antigen.