Development of a DNA-based genotyping method for the Diego blood group system

Wu, G-Guang.; Su, Y-Qing.; Yu, Q.; Jin, S-Zheng.; Zhao, T-Mao.

doi:10.1046/j.1537-2995.2002.00248.x

BACKGROUND: The paucity of appropriate reagents for serologic typing of the Diego blood group has hindered the identification of the rare Di(b-) blood donors needed to transfuse a Dib antigen-negative patient who presented with anti-Dib. Development of an alternative Di typing approach as a supplement to the current serologic typing method is an important and necessary goal. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: DI1 and DI2 alleles result from a single C to T substitution at nucleotide 2561 in exon 19 of the human anion exchanger gene causing a proline (DI1) to leucine (DI2) change at amino acid position 854. Allele-specific primers were designed to specifically amplify the DI1 and DI2 alleles using a PCR-based assay system. RESULTS: A PCR sequence-specific primer (SSP) method for Di genotyping was developed, and the specificity and reproducibility of the method were assessed in a blind control study using serologic tests, family segregation, and DNA sequencing analyses. A total of 1766 DNA samples from unrelated blood donors were typed for DI1 and DI2 alleles and a single Di(b-) donor was identified. The frequency of DI1 and DI2 alleles among Chinese blood donors was 0.0357 and 0.9643, respectively. CONCLUSION: A simple, accurate, and inexpensive DNA-based PCR-SSP method was established for Di genotyping. The typing results can be visualized on a single photograph within 3 hours, making this reliable method suitable for large-scale typing of potential blood donors without serologic backup.