Red Cell Phenotyping of Rh and Kell in Voluntary Blood Donors at a Tertiary Care Center in Jamnagar

Background The Rh and Kell blood group systems are among the most clinically significant in transfusion medicine due to their immunogenic potential. Alloimmunization of these antigens can lead to hemolytic transfusion reactions and hemolytic disease in the fetus and newborn. Despite their clinical importance, antigen phenotyping beyond ABO and RhD is limited in many blood centers worldwide, including in India. This study aims to determine the prevalence of Rh subgroups and Kell antigens among voluntary blood donors in Jamnagar to enhance transfusion safety. Methods This prospective observational study was conducted at Shri M P Shah Government Medical College and S P Mehta Blood Center in Jamnagar, India, from September to October 2022. A total of 1,000 voluntary in-house blood donors were included based on standard donation criteria. Blood samples were collected in EDTA vacutainers for phenotyping. Extended Rh (C, c, E, e) and Kell (K) antigen typing was performed using an automated platform (Immucor NEO, Immucor, Inc., Norcross, GA, USA), while the k antigen was assessed using the tube test method. Results Among the donors, RhD positivity was observed in 92.2% of samples. The most prevalent Rh antigens were e (99.67%) and C (93.06%), while E (18.66%) was the least common. The Kell (K) antigen was detected in 2.1% of donors. These findings are consistent with data from other Indian studies, with minor regional variations. The study also emphasizes the importance of establishing a donor database for antigen-negative units to effectively manage alloimmunized patients. Conclusions This study underscores the importance of extended phenotyping for Rh and Kell antigens in voluntary blood donors. Establishing a comprehensive donor database can greatly enhance transfusion safety, particularly for patients requiring repeated transfusions or those with alloantibodies. Further research and resource allocation are crucial for implementing widespread phenotyping, especially in resource-limited settings.