Gene frequencies of human platelet antigens in the Tunisian population

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Abstract
Gene frequencies for the human platelet antigens HPA‐1, ‐3 and ‐5 in the Tunisian population were determined by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) on 93 volunteer blood donors (78 were tested for HPA‐1, 90 for HPA‐3 and 93 for HPA‐5). This study shows the highest frequencies of the HPA‐1b (0.25) and HPA‐5b (0.22) yet recorded. These antigens are considered as markers of a high risk of platelet alloimmunisation in other populations, and for this reason particular attention should be paid in the case of pregnancy or blood transfusion in this population. The 9 base pair deletion located in intron 21 of the GPIIb gene associated with HPA‐3b determinant is present in this population. No individual showed the polymorphism associated with HPA‐1b (T→G at codon 40 of the GPIIIa).