[Comparative investigation of the Rh blood type distribution between the Uygur and Han nationalities in the Khotan area of Xinjiang Autonomous Region].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the Rh blood type distribution in the Uygur and Han nationalities in Khotan area of Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China, and compare the results with previous documentations on the Rh blood type in Uighurs.

METHOD

Using epidemiological methods, an extensive survey was conducted for determination of the Rh blood type in 2,907 residents in the target area, including 2,251 Uighurs and 656 subjects of Han nationality. Positive definition method was used for the ABO blood typing while Rh blood type was determined serologically through saline medium method. At the same time, the Rh phenotypes were investigated in RhD-negative individuals.

RESULTS

Altogether 106 RhD-negative individuals were identified, accounting for a rate of 4.71% in this cohort, with the D gene frequency of 0.217. The Rh phenotype of all RhD-negative cases were ccdee except for one that was ccdEe. When compared with the previous ABO blood type distribution data of the Uighurs in randomly chosen samples, B type in RhD-negative individuals was relatively higher while A and O types peared lower.

CONCLUSION

The Rh blood type frequency is relatively higher in the Uighurs with unique Rh phenotypes.