Seroprevalence of Anti-A1 antibody in Blood Group A and AB individuals

Abstract

Objective:  To determine the seroprevalence of Anti-A1 antibodies in blood group A and AB individuals and assess the distribution of A1/A2 and A1B/A2B subgroups in our population.

Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at Chughtai institute of pathology, Lahore from July to September 2024. A total of 375 A and AB individuals were tested for the presence of Anti A1 antibody. Individuals less than 6 months of age and those on chemotherapy were excluded from the study.

Results: A total of 340 blood groups were tested for anti-A1 antibodies. Out of these 340 blood groups 280 (80.23 %) were blood group A and 69 (19.77%) were blood group AB. Of the total blood group A tested, 45 individuals had subgroup A2. only 12 individuals with blood group AB were labelled as blood group A2B. Of the total individuals with blood group A, 83.9 % were blood group A and 16.1% were A2. Likewise, in individuals with blood group AB, 82.6% were AB and 17.4% were A2B.

Conclusion: Although testing for anti-A1 antibodies is not routinely practiced in blood banks but we recommend that it’s testing should be made an integral part of blood banking. Although rare but if occurs anti a1 antibody can induce severe hemolytic reaction specially in immunocompromised patients.