Article Published In Vol.2 (Nov-Dec-2014)

Distribution of Kell Blood Group System Antigens Kpa , Kpb in Major Tribes of Turaba Province-KSA

Author : Malik H. Ibrahim Mustafa, Tariq E. Elmissbah Elmahdi , Abdel- Moneim M.Salim, Mukhtar A. Mohammed Ahmed and Sara Osman A. Bushara

Background. Kell blood group system is the one of the most minor blood group system has clinical significant in blood transfusion and cause hemolytic disease of the new born (HDN). Kell blood group system was discovered by Coomb’s, Mourant, and Race in 1946 from child of Mrs. Kellecher who was suffering from HDN, and the antibody coated red blood cell of the newborn gave positive direct coomb’s test.
Study design. This study desgined to determine the distribution of two antigens of Kell blood group system Kpa , Kpb, in the major populations of Turaba province, Saudi Arabia. The study was carried out in different parts of the Turaba province in the period between July and December 2007, after taking consent from the health authority.
Materials and methods. Three hundred ninety nine venous blood samples were collected into EDTA containers from unrelated individuals of major tribes in turaba province. The Kell Blood group antigens were detected using gel immune-diffusion system.
Results. Results showed that the frequency of Kpa in the major population of Turaba province was 99%, where the frequency of Kpb was 2%.Also result proved that the most frequent phenotype in Turaba province population was Kp (a-b+) with frequency of 92%.
Conclusion. This study proved that the Kell blood group antigen Kpb, was the commonest antigen in Turaba province population, while the Kpa was the lowest. Only one sample was recorded as Kell null ( K0) .

Keywords: Kpa, Kpb , immunodiffusion gel Technique, Turabah province.