SPORADIC OCCURRENCE OF DIEGO-A ANTIGENS AND ANTIBODIES IN BERLIN

Background: The antigen Di(a) is common among Mongols (5-12%), but rar e in Caucasians (<1%). Objective. The accidental discovery of Diego A (Di(a)) antibodies in a South American tourist and in an elderly Germa n patient prompted us to investigate the frequency of Di(a) antigens i n the German population. Design: 1,352 German random blood donors, all living in Berlin or in the areas around, were tested for the presence of the Di(a) antigen on their red blood cells. All donors were Caucas ians. Results: Di(a) was found in 12 individuals (0.89%). Conclusions: We think that Di(a) is a low-frequency antigen in the European popula tion. The admixture of Mongol genes following wars or migration is onl y of low or no importance.