Distribution of ABO and Rh-Hr blood group antigens, alleles and haplotypes in the mountain region of Ajara (Georgia)

ABO and Rh-Hr blood group antigens represent a genetically stably determined trait with many-sided biological and clinical significance. The indigenous Ajarian population (105 subjects) was investigated for ABO Rh-Hr red cell blood group antigens. Using immunoserologic methods, seven blood group antigens (A, B, C, c, D, E and e) were studied. The obtained results were statistically processed. 44 ± 4.9% of the said region’s population are carriers of the blood group 0(I), 37 ± 4.82% are carriers of the phenotypic group A(II). The concentration of the B(III) blood-group carriers (17 ± 3.7%) is rather high and the AB(IV) blood group is observable in 2 ± 1.4%. In studying individual antigens of the Rh system in the Khulo population, the maximum frequency distribution of the e antigen was found (100 ± 3.12%), and followed in frequency by the c antigen (89 ± 3.12%). The frequency of the D antigen was 82 ± 3.8%, that of the c antigen was 61 ± 4.8%, and that of the E antigen was 23 ± 4.2%. Six Rh-phenotypic groups of various frequencies were fixed. The CcDee phenotype is the most characteristic of the said region’s population. Its distribution frequency is 38 ± 4.8%.Key words: Blood group antigens, Rh system, ABO system, blood, immunoserology