Prevalence of A Blood Group Subtypes Among Blood Donors Attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Hadiza Seidu 1 Abigail Jeremiah 2 Semira Ajoke Seidu 3 Nura Garba 4
  1. 1 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria
  2. 2 Global Health and Infectious Diseases Control Institute, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  3. 3 Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria
  4. 4 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Bayero University, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria
10.51757/IJEHS.7.2026.736302
PlumX Metrics

Abstract

Background: The ABO blood group system is the most clinically significant system in transfusion medicine. Among blood group A individuals, A1 and A2 subtypes exhibit distinct serological characteristics. A2 and A2 B individuals can develop naturally occurring anti-A1 cold agglutinins, which may cause ABO grouping discrepancies or hemolytic transfusion reactions if reactive at 37 oC . Information on A subtype distribution in Northwestern Nigeria remains limited. Objectives: To determine the distribution and prevalence of A blood group subtypes within blood group A donors (A1 vs. A2) and blood group AB donors (A1 B vs. A2B) attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 blood donors with blood groups A (n=157) and AB (n=23) at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria, in March 2024. A total of 1,120 donors were screened using consecutive sampling. Subtyping was performed using anti-A1 lectin (Dolichos biflorus) by standard tube agglutination. Results: Participants' mean age was 31.57±9.44 years; 79.4% (143/180) were male, 82.2% (148/180) replacement donors, and 17.8% (32/180) voluntary donors. Among group A donors (n=157), A1 accounted for 100% (157/157) and A2 for 0% (0/157). Among group AB donors (n=23), A1 B accounted for 87.0% (20/23) and A2 B for 13.0% (3/23). Across the total sample (N=180), A1, A1 B, and A2 B represented 87.2%, 11.1%, and 1.7%, respectively.Conclusion : The A1 subtype predominated among donors. These baseline findings highlight the need for continued ABO subtype surveillance to enhance regional transfusion safety.

Keywords

ABO blood group Subtypes Anti-A1 Lectin (Dolichos biflorus) Blood Donors Transfusion Safety

Subjects

Seroepidemiology