FREQUENCY OF KELL ANTIGENS (K & K) AMONG BLOOD DONORS OF NORTHERN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of Kell blood group antigens (K and k) in blood donors from northernPakistan.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at immunohaematology department of Armed Forces Institute of Transfusion (AFIT) Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from 1st Nov 2017 to 31st Dec 2017.

Methodology: After approval of Ethical Committee of Armed Forces Institute of Transfusion (AFIT) Rawalpindi, the blood samples of 2000 blood donors were collected. Samples were selected by non-probability consecutive sampling technique. After preliminary blood grouping for ABO and Rh D, these samples were phenotyped for K (kelleher) and k (celleno) antigens. Typing was performed on Biorad® automated blood grouping system by column agglutination technique (CAT), strictly following manufacturer’s instructions.

Results: Out of 2000 blood donors, typed for K and k antigens, 1966 were males (98.30%) and 34 were females (1.70%). The frequency of K was 4.05% (81/2000) and that of k was 98.90% (1978/2000). The phenotype K-k+ (95.15%) was most prevalent followed by K+k+ (3.75%), K-k- (0.80%) and K+,k- (0.30%).

Conclusion: K antigen frequency is lower than as reported in Caucasions and Saudi Arabia but higher than Indian and African blood donors. This study confirmed that the k (celleno) blood group antigen was highly prevalent antigen in Pakistani population while the K (kelleher) antigen was present in a relatively lower frequency.