BACKGROUND: Antigens in the human red cell Miltenberger series are glycopho
rin variants of the MN (MNS) blood group system that are due to the rearran
gement of glycophorin A (GPA) and glycophorin B (GPB) genes.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Taking advantage of the differences between the G
PA and GPB genes, a polymerase chain reaction-based method was developed to
detect all the Miltenberger glycophorin variants and St(a) subtype. GPA- a
nd GPB-specific primers were used to amplify the GPA or GPB gene, and the a
mplified products were used to recognize the different hybrid genes after r
estriction enzyme digestions.
RESULTS: Among 264 Taiwanese subjects studied, Mi.III and St(a) are the mos
t common types of Miltenberger variants found. Mi.III was present in 13 (4.
92%) of 264, and St(a) was found in 8 (3.03%) of 264; 1 case (0.4%) of Mi.V
was also identified from the study group.
CONCLUSION: This is the first polymerase chain reaction-based method of det
ecting most of the Miltenberger variants and St(a). The genomic typing resu
lts were confirmed by control DNA of identified Miltenberger phenotypes. Th
e prevalence rates of Mi.III and St(a) in this study were also consistent w
ith other previous reports using different methods.