Phenotype and Allele Frequency Distribution of ABO and Rh(D) Blood Groups in Goa

Authors

  • Vineeth G Nair Dr Lal Pathlabs, Cochin, India
  • Trupti Shetty Department of Hematology, Suburban Diagnostics, Mumbai, India
  • Anupa Dixit Dr Lal Pathlabs, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21276/apalm.3841

Keywords:

ABO blood group, blood group, ABO phenotype, Rh(D), frequency of blood groups

Abstract

Background: The ABO and Rh(D) blood group systems are critical for transfusion safety and population genetics. Despite extensive studies in India, Goa's blood group distribution remains under-researched, with only one prior district-level study. This study aims to determine the phenotype, allele, and genotype frequencies of ABO and Rh(D) blood groups across Goa and compare them with regional and global data.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 16,417 blood samples (2015–2024) from Suburban Diagnostics Goa was conducted. ABO/Rh(D) typing used hem-agglutination, with allele/genotype frequencies calculated via Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Statistical comparisons employed chi-square tests.

Result: Phenotype frequencies were O (32.68%) > A (32.28%) > B (26.34%) > AB (8.69%); Rh(D)+ prevalence was 94.11%. Allele frequencies were calculated to be IO (57.17%), IA (23.43%), and IB (19.66%); Rh(D) alleles were ID (75.73%) and Id (24.27%). When compared with aggregated data from Western India, statistically significant proportional differences were observed.

Conclusion: Goa shows an ABO and Rh(D) blood group distribution with the order O > A > B > AB, differing from patterns seen in other regions of India. This variation may be influenced by historical genetic admixture. These findings are important for strengthening blood bank management and ensuring safe and efficient transfusion services in Goa.

References

1. Mohd Noor NH, Siti Asmaa MJ. Karl Landsteiner (1868-1943): A Versatile Blood Scientist. Cureus. 2024;16(9):e68903. doi:10.7759/cureus.68903 PubMed PMID: 39381489; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC11458791.

2. Li HY, Guo K. Blood Group Testing. Front Med. 2022;9:827619. doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.827619

3. Avent ND, Reid ME. The Rh blood group system: a review. Blood. 2000;95(2):375–87. PubMed PMID: 10627438.

4. ISBT. Red Cell Immunogenetics and Blood Group Terminology | ISBT Working Party [Internet]. [cited 2025 Mar 13]. Available from: https://www.isbtweb.org/isbt-working-parties/rcibgt.html

5. Ségurel L, Gao Z, Przeworski M. Ancestry runs deeper than blood: The evolutionary history of ABO points to cryptic variation of functional importance. Bioessays. 2013;35(10):862–7. doi:10.1002/bies.201300030 PubMed PMID: 23836453; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4034584.

6. Patidar GK, Dhiman Y. Distribution of ABO and Rh (D) Blood groups in India: A systematic review. ISBT Science Series. 2021;16(1):37–48. doi:10.1111/voxs.12576

7. Mashelkar P, Shetye S, Shaikh M, Jog K. Frequency and Distribution of ABO and Rhesus (D) Blood group Antigens among Blood Donors at a District Hospital Blood Bank in North Goa. jmscr. 2023;11(11):114–20. doi:10.18535/jmscr/v11i11.18

8. Nasir A, Minhas A, Imran A, Chughtai O, Chughtai AS, Nasir DA, et al. Bombay Blood Group: A Report of Two Cases. Cureus. 2024;16(5). doi:10.7759/cureus.59620

9. Agrawal A, Tiwari AK, Mehta N, Bhattacharya P, Wankhede R, Tulsiani S, et al. ABO and Rh (D) group distribution and gene frequency; the first multicentric study in India. Asian J Transfus Sci. 2014;8(2):121–5. doi:10.4103/0973-6247.137452 PubMed PMID: 25161353; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4140055.

10. Portuguese Rule in Goa, 1510–1961 and Nehru seizes Goa | International Affairs | Oxford Academic [Internet]. [cited 2025 Mar 25]. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/ia/article-abstract/40/3/555/2547041

11. Department of Geography and Research Centre, Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Khandola-Marcela, 403107, Goa, India, Pereira D, Afonso A, Nemika V, Rath PK. Women Emigration And Its Impact On Their Families In Goa : A Case Study Of Usgao Village. GA. 2020;9(1):19–24. doi:10.53989/bu.ga.v9i1.4

12. Garcia-Hejl C, Martinaud C, Rudnicki S de, Sanmartin N, Clavier B, Chianea D, et al. Blood group antigens frequencies in Kabul, Afghanistan. Transfusion and Apheresis Science. 2014;50(2):307–8. doi:10.1016/j.transci.2014.01.010 PubMed PMID: 24492066.

13. Karim S, Hoque MM, Hoque E, Begum HA, Rahman SM, Shah TA, et al. The Distribution of Abo and Rhesus Blood Groups Among Blood Donor Attending Transfusion Medicine Department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital in 2014. Journal of Dhaka Medical College. 24(1):53. doi:10.3329/jdmc.v24i1.29564

14. Chhetri V. Frequency Distribution of ABO and Rh blood group among Blood Donors at Centre Regional Referral Hospital, Gelephu: A Retrospective Study. J Med Sci Clin Res. 2018;06(04). doi:10.18535/jmscr/v6i4.154

15. Shahverdi E, Moghaddam M, Abolghasemi H. Distribution of blood groups in the Iranian general population. Immunohematology. 2016;32(4):135–9. doi:10.21307/immunohematology-2019-058

16. Mya-Tu M, May-May-Yi M, Thin-Thin-Hlaing T. Blood Groups of the Burmese Population. Hum Hered. 1971;21(5):420–30. doi:10.1159/000152435

17. Upadhyay-Dhungel K, Banskota G, Das P, Sohal A. Distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups in Nepalese medical students. Janaki Medical College Journal of Medical Sciences. 2013;1(2):17–20.

18. Rehman GU. ABO and Rh (D) blood groups distribution in Pakistan: a systematic review. FRCIJ. 2020;8(6):237–44. doi:10.15406/frcij.2020.08.00334

Downloads

Published

05-09-2026

Issue

Section

Original Article

How to Cite

1.
Phenotype and Allele Frequency Distribution of ABO and Rh(D) Blood Groups in Goa. Ann of Pathol and Lab Med [Internet]. 2026 Sep. 5 [cited 2026 Sep. 6];13(9):A424-A432. Available from: https://pacificejournals.com/journal/index.php/apalm/article/view/3841