Abstract
Background: Kell blood group, ABO and Rh blood antigens are the most potent, of blood group antigens. In newborn, anti-K has been recognized as the main cause for both immediate and delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions and hemolytic disease. Objective: This study was performed to study the effect of ethnicity on the distribution of ABO, Rh (D, C, E, c, e), and KEL1 antigens between two different ethnic populations; Amazigh and Arabs in Yefran. Materials and methods: Samples from 201 represented by 65 males (32.3%) and 136 females (67.7%) were included in the study. Samples from 101 Arab ethnicity and 100 Amazigh ethnicities were included in this study. These were collected from candidates at emergency (ER) and gynecology departments in Yefran hospital. Blood samples were serologically screened for ABO, KEL1 antigen and Rh antigens (D, C, E, c, e) using slide and tube agglutination tests. Results: The frequencies of O, A, B, and AB blood groups in Amazigh were (55%), (35%), (6%), and (4%) respectively. While in Arabs, were (49.5%), (33.7%), (10.9%), and (5.9%) respectively. The Rh (D) negative incidence in Amazigh was 22%, while in Arabs was 9.9%. The most frequently occurring CDE antigen in Amazigh ethnicity was found to be e (99%), followed by c (78%), then D (78%), C (60%), and finally E (6%). Conversely, in Arab ethnicity, it was respectively e (95%), D (90.1%), c (86.1%), C (59.4%) and E (25.7%). DCcee was the most prevalent phenotype in Amazigh (36%) and Arabs (34.65%). ddccee was the most common phenotype among Rh (D) -ve individuals. The frequency of KEL1 antigen in Amazigh was 6%, while in Arabs was 12.12%. Conclusion: Obviously, similarity and difference of the distribution of different antigens are mostly due to genetic factors. This research will provide the first step to establish a donor data bank in Yefran hospital to provide suitable and compatible blood groups. Keyword: Rh phenotypes, Kell antigens, ABO Blood group, Arab ethnicity, Amazing ethnicity, Yefran