HPA Frequencies in the Syrian Population

Background: Exposure to allogenic Human Platelet Antigens (HPAs) can lead to antibody formation causing different immunological reactions. Frequencies of common HPA antigens differ between ethnic groups and should be known to calculate potential alloimmunization risk. Syrian refugees are the largest group of applicants for asylum in Germany in 2017. However, no study on HPA antigen frequencies in the Syrian population exists. Methods: DNA from blood samples of 96 volunteers with Syrian origin was isolated. The genotype of HPA-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -9, and -15 was determined using a commercialized polymerase chain reaction kit with sequence-specific primers (SSP-PCR). Data were compared with data formerly obtained from the German population and diverse other studies. Results: In Syrian population, the gene frequencies of HPA-1a/1b, -2a/2b, -3a/3b, -4a/4b, -5a/5b, -6a/6b, -9a/9b, and -15a/15b were 0.837/0.163, 0.875/0.125, 0.630/0.370, 1.000/0.000, 0.837/0.130, 1.000/0.000, 1.000/0.000, and 0.457/0.543, respectively. Conclusions: There are no significant differences between HPA antigen frequencies in the Syrian and German population. Therefore, we do not see a need for special precaution in the selection of blood products or in pregnancy of interethnic couples with regard to HPA.