Frequency of A1 and A2 Subtype of Blood Group A and AB

Abstract

Objective: To assess the frequency of A1 and A2 subtype of blood group A and AB in patients presenting in a tertiary care hospital

Methodology: This Cross sectional study was conducted at Department of hematology, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore for 6 months i.e. 3-3-2022 to 3-9-2022. Total 235 candidates fulfilling selection criteria were selected. Using a 5cc disposable syringe and aseptic procedures, blood samples were taken and then preserved in sterile EDTA vials. The blood groups A and AB were verified using the standard ABO blood group procedure. To further differentiate between A1 and A2, samples were analysed using anti-A1 lectin. A1 was taken into consideration if agglutination with anti-A lectin occurred. The sample was classified as an A2 subgroup if the agglutination was 4+ with anti-A antisera but negative with anti-A1 lectin.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 18.31±6.54 years. There were 153(65.1%) males and 82(34.9%) females in this study. There were 207(88.1%) patients and 28(11.9%) donors in this study. There were 180(76.6%) patients and donors with blood group A and 55(23.4%) with blood group AB. Out of total 235 subjects of blood group A and AB, 184(78.3%) participants present with subtype A1 and 51(21.7%) with subtype A2. A1 is the main subgroup of the blood groups A and AB. Subgroup A2 constitute a significiant percentage of blood group A and AB.

Conclusion: It is recommended that in all blood banks anti sera A1 and A2 be used for subgrouping blood group A.