OBJECTIVETo investigate the irregular antibody production and its relationship with Rh factor genotypes and the loci of thalassemia gene mutations for the β-thalassemic children with long-term transfusion, so as provide experimental basis for clinical safe and effective transfusions for thalassemic children.

METHODSThe peripheral blood from 246 children with β-thalassemia was collected in our hospital; the extraction of genomic DNA and Rh factor (C/c, E/e) genotypes were assayed by PCR-SSP method, the irregular antibodies were screened and identified by serological method, the genotypes for thalassemia and gene mutations were analysed by PCR-RD method.

RESULTSThe genotypes of Rh factors classified by PCR- SSP in the 246 cases of β-thalassemia children were as follws: Ce/Ce (143/246, 58.1%), CE/ce (59/246, 24%), cE/cE (14/24, 5.7%), Ce/ce (12/246, 4.9%); The positive rate of irregular antibody was 7.7% (19/246), including anti-E (7/19), anti-c (5/19), anti-C (2/19), anti-E and anti-c (2/19), anti-e (1/19), anti-D (2/19); Of the 19 cases with positive irregular antibody, the genotypings of Rh factor were: Ce/Ce (11/19), CE/ce (2/19), cE/cE (2/19), Ce/ce (2/19), cE/ce (2/19); the gene mutations location of thalassemia for 19 cases with positive irregular antibody: CD41-42M (13/19), CD71-72M (2/19), IVS-II-654M (3/19), -28M (1/19).

CONCLUSIONThe irregular antibody production for β-thalassemic children with long-term transfusion may have some relevance with Rh factor genotypes and thalassemia genetic mutations. This study possesses a certain significance for effective prevention of RBC alloimmune response of β-thalassemia children and improvement of efficacy and safety of clinical transfasion blood.