Miltenberger blood group typing by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) melting curve analysis in Thai population.
OBJECTIVES
To develop reliable and convenient methods for Miltenberger (Mi(a) ) blood group typing.


AIM
To apply real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) melting curve analysis to Mi(a) blood group typing.


BACKGROUND
The Mi(a) blood group is the collective set of glycophorin hybrids in the MNS blood group system. Mi(a+) blood is common among East Asians and is also found in the Thai population. Incompatible Mi(a) blood transfusions pose the risk of life-threatening haemolysis; therefore, Mi(a) blood group typing is necessary in ethnicities where the Mi(a) blood group is prevalent.


METHODS/MATERIALS
One hundred and forty-three blood samples from Thai blood donors were used in the study. The samples included 50 Mi(a+) samples and 93 Mi(a-) samples, which were defined by serology. The samples were typed by Mi(a) typing qPCR, and 50 Mi(a+) samples were sequenced to identify the Mi(a) subtypes. Mi(a) subtyping qPCR was performed to define GP.Mur. Both Mi(a) typing and Mi(a) subtyping were tested on a conventional PCR platform.


RESULTS
The results of Mi(a) typing qPCR were all concordant with serology. Sequencing of the 50 Mi(a+) samples revealed 47 GP.Mur samples and 3 GP.Hop or Bun samples. Mi(a) subtyping qPCR was the supplementary test used to further define GP.Mur from other Mi(a) subtypes. Both Mi(a) typing and Mi(a) subtyping performed well using a conventional PCR platform.


CONCLUSION
Mi(a) typing qPCR correctly identified Mi(a) blood groups in a Thai population with the feasibility of Mi(a) subtype discrimination, and Mi(a) subtyping qPCR was able to further define GP.Mur from other Mi(a) subtypes.
['Vongsakulyanon|A|A|', 'Kitpoka|P|P|', 'Kunakorn|M|M|', 'Srikhirin|T|T|']
D001789:Blood Group Antigens D001788:Blood Grouping and Crossmatching D005260:Female D006021:Glycophorins D006801:Humans D008297:Male D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction D013785:Thailand
Miltenberger blood group Thai population qPCR melting curve analysis