ABO/Rh Blood Groups and Haemoglobin Electrophoretic Pattern Among Subjects of Ogoni and Ikwerre Ethnic Groups in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the ABO/Rh (D) and haemoglobin electrophoretic pattern among subjects of Ogoni and Ikwerre ethnic groups in Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of 200 randomly selected subjects comprising of 86 males and 114 females from Ogoni and Ikwerre ethnic groups in Rivers State, Nigeria were studied.  Five millilitres of ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulated blood was collected from each subject. The tile and tube methods were used for cell and serum grouping respectively while cellulose acetate paper electrophoretic method was used to determine the haemoglobin electrophoretic pattern of subjects under strict compliance to standard operation procedures. A significant number of Ogoni and the Ikwerre indigenes were blood group O+ (74% and 60% respectively). Blood group B⁺ was moderately higher among the Ikwerres (15%) compared to (11%) among the Ogonis. Group A⁺ was 21% amongst Ikwerres and 9% amongst the Ogonis. Group O^- individuals were lower amongst the Ikwerres (2%) and higher amongst the Ogonis (4%). Other blood groups such as B^- and AB⁺ had percentage frequency distribution of 1% each for both ethnic groups. AB^‑ was not found in any of the studied population. The haemoglobin electrophoresis pattern for HbAA, HbAS, HbSS, HbAC and HbSC were 72% in Ikwerre and 88% in Ogoni for HBAA, 28% in Ikwerre and 12% in Ogonis for HBAS, 0% for HbSS, HbAC and HbSC in both ethnic groups. This study provides adequate knowledge that majority of Ogoni and Ikwerre indigenes are blood group O⁺ with normal Hb pattern HbAA. The incidence of sickle cell traits and sickle cell disease among subjects of both ethnic groups was significantly low indicating that persons of both ethnic groups can potentially intermarry with little or no significant risk of producing children with sickle cell disease amongst their offspring.