Frequency and distribution of ABO and rhesus (D) blood groups in district Chamba, Himachal Pradesh: a study from rural tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: In 1901, ABO blood group was the first human blood group system to be discovered by Karl Landsteiner. After that Rh blood grouping was discovered by Landsteiner and Weiner 1941. Since then for blood transfusion purposes, these two systems have proved to be the most important systems. Agglutinins are the antibodies against red blood cell antigens and based on presence of these antigens and agglutinins human blood is divided into four major blood groups A, B, AB and O. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Blood Bank of our college. A total of 600 fit donors were selected in the time period of seven months from 1st March 2017 to 30th September, 2017. The blood samples were obtained by standard procedures of venepuncture. Results: From our study, it is observed that blood group B is commonest with 229 donors (38.16%), followed by A with 173 donors (28.82%), O blood group with 131donors (21.82%) and blood group AB contributes minimum of study subjects, 71 donors (11.82%). Rh+ve donors were 93.83% whereas Rh-ve donors were 6.17% according to our study. Conclusions: The present study is useful in providing information on the status of ABO and Rh-D blood group distribution of Chamba and knowledge of it will help in effective management of regional blood transfusion service of the area.