Prenatal genotyping of the Duffy blood group system by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction

Maternal allo-immunization to antigens of the Duffy blood group system can result in haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN), therefore, the applicati on of allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (ASPCR) for prenatal genoty ping of the Duffy antigen system to identify pregnancies at risk for HDN wa s evaluated. Oligonucleotide primers were designed for ASPCR of FYA, FYB an d nullFY alleles. A validation study was performed using DNA isolated from 94 serotyped whole blood samples and 8 amniocentesis samples. A concordance rate of 100 per cent was observed between serotyping and ASPCR detection o f the FYA, FYB and nullFY alleles. This assay is particularly useful for ra pid genotyping of fetal amniotic cells to identify pregnancies at risk for HDN due to maternal-fetal incompatibilities within the Duffy blood group sy stem. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.