Sero-prevalence of RBC alloantibodies among Han and minority patients in Xinjiang

The aim of the study was to examine the sero-prevalence and frequency of red blood cell (RBC) alloantibodies (RAAbs) and to investigate the risk factors for producing RAAbs among the Han and Uyghurs in Xinjiang. The RBC antibody screening test and identification were conducted for 45,163 Han and 70,633 Uyghurs admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from October 2010 to December 2014. RBC alloantibodies against the Rh antigens were the most frequent, including anti-E(21.7% in the Han, 21.6% in Uyghurs) and anti-D(18.5% in the Han, 18.2% in Uyghurs). Notably, the sero-prevalence of anti-K and anti-Fy^a was also high in Xinjiang. Transfusion and pregnancy were risk factors among both the Han and Uyghurs; furthermore, Uyghurs had a higher sero-prevalence of RBC antibodies compared to that of Han because of a higher incidence of these risk factors. We concluded that RBC alloantibodies against the Rh factor showed the highest frequency, and antibodies against Asian-related high-frequency antigens, including Fy^a and low-frequency antigens, such as K were notably high in Xinjiang.