Journal article
Genetic diversity in RHD and RHCE genes among a selected Kenyan blood donor population
Transfusion, Vol.Advanced access
22-Apr-2026
PMID: 42017218
Abstract
Background
Serologic typing for ABO and RhD is standard in transfusion services, with extended serology and genotyping performed to reduce red cell alloimmunization risk. In Kenya, RH typing is limited to RhD, and genotyping is unavailable. This study used RHD/RHCE genotyping to predict phenotypes and their distribution in a Kenyan blood donor population.
Study Design and Methods
A total of 191 donors (114 D−, 74 D+, and 3 weak D) from the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service were selected. Next-generation sequencing was performed on DNA extracts using a targeted blood group sequencing panel (Illumina MiSeq). Variant call format (VCF) files were annotated with wANNOVAR, and phenotypes were predicted by matching VCF data to the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) Blood Group database.
Results
RHD*01N.01, RHD*08N.01 (RHD*Ψ), and RHD*03N.01 alleles were identified predicting D− phenotype. Discordant phenotype results were observed in 11 samples with genotype predicting nine D+ (partial D) in 114 D−, one D− in 74 D+, and one D− in three weak D phenotypes. For RHCE, 15 allele types produced 30 genotypes with 63% carrying at least one RHCE variant allele linked to: 1) weak and/or partial c and e, 2) hrB−, and 3) V+/−, VS+, phenotypes.
Discussion
Genotyping revealed RhD/RHD phenotype/genotype discrepancies and RH allele diversity among Kenyan donors, including RHCE variants affecting high- and low-prevalence antigen expression. These findings highlight the role of genotyping to improve accuracy for RH typing to minimize the risk of patient alloimmunization.
Details
- Title
- Genetic diversity in RHD and RHCE genes among a selected Kenyan blood donor population
- Authors
- Sandra A. Sowah (Corresponding Author) - Australian Red Cross LifebloodAlexis J. Perros - University of the Sunshine CoastRachel Githiomi - Kenya National Blood Transfusion ServicesGenghis H. Lopez - University of the Sunshine CoastCelestino Obiero - Kenya National Blood Transfusion ServicesThilini N. Perera - Australian Red Cross LifebloodEileen Roulis - Queensland University of TechnologyRobert L. Flower - Queensland University of TechnologyCatherine A. Hyland - Queensland University of Technology
- Publication details
- Transfusion, Vol.Advanced access
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
- DOI
- 10.1111/trf.70205
- ISSN
- 1537-2995
- PMID
- 42017218
- Copyright note
- © 2026 The Author(s). Transfusion published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of AABB. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
- Data Availability
- The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Biomedicine; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991228952202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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