Studies on Rare Blood Phenotypes in Japanese

Abstract

Four hundred and ninety six families with rare blood phenotypes of the ABO, I, P, Rh, Kell, Duffy, Diego and Jr were detected in Japanese Red Cross Blood Centers, and all these blood samples were re-tested and confirmed in Osaka Red Cross Blood Center. Some of them were reconfirmed by Dr. Ruth Sanger, MRC Blood Group Unit in London.
These rare bloods, except Fy (a-), Di (b-) and Jr (a-), were recognized mostly by ABO groupings and antibody screenings.
Another ninety seven persons with rare bloods were found among the propositi's family members. Consanguinity rate of the Rh11, Rhmod and -D- was 69.2%, and that of the p phenotype 56.5%, the total consanguinity rate being 63.3%.
While most of the -D- (including cD-) propositi experi enced abortion or stillbirth, some of the p female propositi did not suffer from such episodes.
Most of the i propositi had a congenital cata ract, but recently an i adult free from the disorder was found in Hokkaido. We think the co-occurrence of the i phenotype and congenital cataract to be due to linkage rather than to pleiotropism.
Most Jr (a-) female propositi had anti-Jr' in their sera, but none of them had experienced abortion, stillbirth or hemolytic disease of the newborn.