DISTRIBUTION OF IMMUNOGENETIC MARKERS OF RED-CELL SYSTEMS IN CORONARY HEART-DISEASE

Distribution of 24 phenotypes of 6 red cell systems (ABO, Rh - Hr, MNSs, Duffy, Kell-Chellano, Kidd) has been studied for the first time in 275 coronary patients of Armenian nationality. Antigens ABO and MN were determined by hemagglutination, antigen Rho(D) by conglutination, antigens C, c, E, e, Fy(a), Fy(b) Jk(a), Jk(b), K and k by indirect Coombs reaction. Out of the 6 systems, only heterozygous phenotype Cc and homozygous phenotype Jk (a-b+) were positively associated with coronary heart disease. The carriers of the former,had a risk of CHD 2.2-times that for patients carrying CC and Jk (a+b+), while the carriers of the latter had this risk increased 5-fold. Simultaneous identification of Kidd system phenotypes and Rh-Hr (Jk(b) (a-b+) and CC in the same patient may be considered as a genetic CHD marker in Armenian population. The above fact needs special attention in early preclinical diagnosis and prevention of CHD.