%0 Journal Article
%T Allele frequencies of the human platelet antigen-1 in the Egyptian population
%A Abdel Salem
%A Kyudong Han
%A Mark A Batzer
%J BMC Research Notes
%D 2009
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1756-0500-2-90
%X To determine the allele frequency of the HPA-1a and -1b, we tested genomic DNAs from 206 healthy, unrelated Egyptian individuals using PCR-SSP. Our results showed that the 1a/1a genotype was the most predominant (59.22%) followed by 1a/1b (34.95%) and 1b/1b (5.83%) with allele frequencies for 1a and 1b of 0.77 and 0.23, respectively, in the population.As compared with other geographic groups, a relatively high allele frequency of the HPA-1b in the Egyptian population may indicate a higher risk of alloimmunization. This study is the first to investigate the allele frequency of the HPA-1 system in the Egyptian population and serves as an outline for future clinical research associated with platelet disorders in this group.The human platelet antigens (HPA) systems derive from the single base pair substitution in the encoding genes of platelet membrane glycoproteins (GP). The GP variants resulting from amino acid substitutions are involved in the rate of alloimmunization to platelet-specific antigens. Subsequently, the alloimmunization can induce neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) [1], post-transfusion purpura (PTP), or platelet transfusion refractoriness (PTR) [2]. Therefore, accurate donor compatibility for platelet transfusions is extremely important. HPA systems are not only associated with organ transplantation rejection [3] and cardiovascular disease [4], but are also frequently assessed in general population studies. The molecular basis of the biallelic polymorphisms of all HPA systems (i.e. HPA-1, 2, -3, -4, -5, -15) is linked to platelet GP variants. The major GPs (GPIIb, GPIIIa, GPIb, and GPIa) generated by single amino acid substitutions are associated with various HPAs [5]. The presence of leucine or proline at position 33 of the GPIIIa results in two HPA-1a or HPA-1b antigens, respectively [6]. Therefore, molecular DNA-based analysis has been preferred for the HPA genotyping.Recent studies of population genetics have reported that there is a hetero
%U http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/2/90