Frequencies of Rh Phenotypes and Probable Genotypes in RhD Negative Blood Donors in Oman: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Aims: Knowledge of Rh phenotype frequencies guides in assessing the probability of Rh alloantibody formation and finding Rh-negative antigen donors.  There is limited information on the RhCE phenotypes and probable genotype frequencies among D negative Omani population, hence this study was conducted to determine that and compared it with other populations. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Oman College of Health Sciences between July 2016 and April 2017. Methodology: A total of 205 RhD negative blood samples were collected from Omani blood donors.  Haemagglutination methods were used for Rh typing. The data was collected to determine the Rh phenotype, probable genotype and haplotype frequencies. Results: The most prevalent Rh antigen was e followed by c, C and E. The most common probable genotype/phenotype and haplotype were rr / rr and r with frequencies of 0.766 and 0.887 respectively. Conclusion: There was no difference in Rh phenotype / probable genotype distribution from other populations. However, a significant difference was found in the frequencies of Rh antigens C, E, and c with some of the other populations.  Likewise, haplotype r and probable genotype rr frequencies were found to be significantly different from some other populations.