A Comparative Study of Prevalence, Phenotype and Genotype of ABO and Rh (D) Factor among Blood Donors from the Central Blood Bank in Benghazi, Libya

Background and Objective: Central Blood Bank of Benghazi where blood gathered as result of blood donation is stored and preserved for later use in blood transfusion as well as is the blood artery that covers the entire eastern region, down to the southeast and in some cases all over Libya, specifically: Sirte Cancer Hospital, Al - Maqrif Hospital in Ajdabiya, Ajdabiya Military Hospital, Al - Wehda Hospital, Derna, and Tobruk, and also Medical hospitals, Al - Bayda and Al - Kufra. This study was undertaken with the objective to provide data on the ABO / Rh (D) blood groups distribution and gene frequency among Blood Donors from the Central Blood Bank of Benghazi, Libya. Materials and Methods: The determination of ABO / Rh (D) blood groups was done according to the principle of sliding method. Allele frequencies were calculated under the assumption of Hardy?Weinberg equilibrium and expressed as percentage. In addition allelic and genotypic frequency distributions of the blood group and Rh antigens were compared by using the Chi - square test as demonstrated in many projects which was published. Results: During study?s the total number of male and female donors in Benghazi Blood Central was 80707 (Male = 7948, Female = 1159). The highest blood groups was mostly "O", then "A", "B" and the least one was "AB". Also the current studies of allele frequencies of blood groups revealed that the allele repeating for IO was the highest one, followed by the IA then the IB. While the homozygous type OO was the highest, then comes homozygous type AA and finally type BB. On contrary AO heterozygous type was the most common, then BO heterozygous type, final one heterozygous type AB. Conclusion: This study includes that blood type O is the most common, followed by group A, then group B, and finally group AB. The order of frequencies of ABO blood group alleles is IO greater than IA greater than IB. The study can be used as a basic database for genetic diversity and is considered as a reference for ABO studies in Benghazi and can be compared to other local and international studies of phenotypes, genotypes and equilibrium expectations for blood types.