Investigation of Wright Blood Group Alleles and Genotypes in Malaria-Endemic Area in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Inherited blood disorders as well as malaria are prevalent in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Patients with specific hemoglobinopathies may require frequent blood transfusions. Accordingly, alloimmunization may occur if donors and recipients are incompatible. Therefore, examination of various blood group antigens to provide compatible blood units is essential. Two alleles of the Diego (DI) blood group system, and encode the Wright antigens; Wr and Wr , respectively. Anti-Wr may lead to alloimmunization during transfusion and pregnancy. Furthermore, the Wr antigen may involve in interaction between protein receptors for . This study aimed to investigate the allele/genotype frequencies of the Wright blood groups in southwestern Saudi blood donors regarding the blood transfusion and assessed the population of Jazan Province for susceptibility of invasion. One-hundred-fifty Saudi blood donors were enrolled to this study. DNA was extracted from the blood samples. Primer pairs were designed to capture a single nucleotide variation that distinguishes the Wright alleles. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted and followed by standard sequencing. Among the 150 genotyped samples, the only observed allele was (n = 150, 100%). Accordingly, the genotype prevalence of was accounted for (n = 150, 100%). This study demonstrated the allele frequencies of and of the DI blood group system in Saudi blood donors. The allele was the only allele that was observed. Furthermore, the prevalence of the genotypes was determined and the only observed genotype was . Interestingly, this study indicates that the Saudi Arabian population living in Jazan Province may be more susceptible to invasion. Moreover, adding the Wright alleles for the transfusion screening panel is not recommended.