Red Cell Antigens in the Ewes of Ghana

Abstract

The ABO and Rhesus Blood groups were determined by standard methods in 568 blood donors of the Ewe ethnic group. The MNSs. Kidd. Lutheran Duffy and Kell blood groups were also determined in some of them. The frequencies obtained for the ABO and Rhesus genes were not much different from earlier results and similar to those of other negro populations. The commonest rhesus gene complexes were cDe, cdc. Cdc, cDE. cdE and CDe. with R°R°, R°T. R°r', R°R2 being the commonest combinations. The MNSs frequencies were slightly different from earlier results in the Ga ethnic group. JK (a-b-) and Lu(a-b-) phenotypes were relatively high. The frequencies of the Kell and Duffy were similar to findings in some negro populations.