BACKGROUND Red blood cell (RBC) units of D+ donors are falsely labeled D- if regular serologic typing fails to detect low D antigen expression or chimerism. The limitations of serology can be overcome by molecular typing. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS In January 2002, we introduced a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay for RHD as a routine test for first-time donors who typed D- by serolog...

OBJECTIVE To examine the performance of the SensiGene Fetal RHD Genotyping Laboratory Developed Test (RHD Genotyping LDT) using circulating cell-free fetal DNA (ccff DNA) extracted from maternal plasma. METHODS ccff DNA was extracted from maternal blood from non-sensitized women with singleton pregnancies in two cohorts, one with a serotype reference (11-13 weeks' gestation) and one with the ...

BACKGROUND The biological function of RhD protein, a major component of the Rh blood group system, is largely unknown. No phenotypic effect of RhD protein, except its role in hemolytic disease of newborns and protective role against Toxoplasma-induced impairment of reaction times in men, has been described. METHODS Here we searched for a protective effect of RhD positivity against Toxoplasma-...

AIM/OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of RhD variant phenotypes among voluntary non-remunerated blood donors (VNRBDs) at Gulu Regional Blood Bank (GRBB), Northern Uganda. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study, in which the first 4.0 mL of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) blood samples were collected from VNRBDs and typed for their ABO a...

BACKGROUND The D antigen is highly immunogenic, requiring only a small quantity of transfused red blood cells (RBCs) to cause alloimmunization in D- immunocompetent recipients. DEL was reported arousing alloimmunization to true Rh- patients. Molecular studies of the RHD gene have revealed that DEL individuals retain a grossly intact RHD gene or have a portion of RHD in their genomes. Avoiding i...

BACKGROUND Globally, rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains an important cause of heart disease. In Australia it particularly affects younger Indigenous and older non-Indigenous Australians. Despite its impact there is limited understanding of the factors influencing outcome following surgery for RHD. METHODS The Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons Cardiac Surge...

BACKGROUND Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains a significant cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in developing countries such as Indonesia. Yet, despite being one of the most readily preventable chronic diseases, RHD has received scant research or policy attention, particularly in South-East Asia. AIM To describe the pattern of RHD occurrence in a sample of presenting cases from...

BACKGROUND Maternal-fetal RhD antigen incompatibility causes approximately 50% of clinically significant alloimmunization cases. The routine use of prophylactic anti-D immunoglobulin has dramatically reduced hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. Recently, fetal RHD genotyping in RhD negative pregnant women has been suggested for appropriate use of anti-D immunoglobulin antenatal prophylax...

BACKGROUND Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) contribute to Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander health disadvantage. At the time of this study, specialist ARF/RHD care in the Kimberley region of Western Australia was delivered by a broad range of providers. In contrast, in Far North Queensland (FNQ), a single-provider model was used as part of a coordinat...

T-cell molecular mimicry between streptococcal and heart proteins has been proposed as the triggering factor leading to autoimmunity in rheumatic heart disease (RHD). We searched for immunodominant T-cell M5 epitopes among RHD patients with defined clinical outcomes and compared the T-cell reactivities of peripheral blood and intralesional T cells from patients with severe RHD. The role of HLA ...