ABO and rhesus blood groups system in

ABO and rhesus blood groups system
in Tlemcen population, West Algerian.
S. ZAOUI1, J. FEINGOLD2, K. MEGUENNI3, D. CHABANE SARI1.
1- Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences, Université Aboubekr Belkaid – Tlemcen -Algérie.
2- Unité d’EpidémiologieGénétique, INSERM, Paris, France.
Abstract :
On a sample of more than eleven thousand individuals residing in the wilaya of Tlemcen,
we have determined the frequencies of blood groups A,B,O, rhesus plus and rhesus minus
and the frequencies of the gene of these two systems A, B, O, D and d. Differences in
phenotypic and genic frequencies have been revealed between the population Tlemcen
town (urban area) it self on one side and five villages (rural area) surrounding it on the
other (see geographical card).
In fact, in the population of Tlemcen town, the frequencies of the phenotypes A, B, AB, O,
rhesus plus and rhesus minus are respectively : 39.28 %; 12.84 %; 3.84 %; 44.04 %;
97.17% and 2.83 %. In rural area (the five villages together), these frequencies are
respectively : 32.13 %; 15.68 %; 4.98 %; 47.21 %; 96.4 % and 3.60 %. And as for the
frequencies of the genes A, B, O, D and d, they are respectively equal to : 0.2460; 0.0873;
0.6635; 0.8319 and 0.1681 in the population of the town to Tlemcen and as for what
concerns the population of the Dairas, the frequencies of these genes are respectably equal
to : 0.2070; 0.1093; 0.6870; 0.8103 and 0.1897.
The causes of these differences are discussed.
Keywords : Polymorphism, ABO system, Rhesus system, population Frequency, Tlemcen, Algeria.
Since the beginning of their discovery by
Landsteiner in 1900 the A, B, O blood groups
haven’t ceased to be interesting at most. In
fact, they gave the first example of human
polymorphism of which study at different
levels: genetic (Bernstein, 1924), biochimic
(Crubb and Oudin, 1956) and immunologic
(Levin, 1939) is used as a pattern for the
elucidation of various polymorph systems
(MNS, P, Duffy, Kell,) of the human specie.
On the other hand, the application of clinical,
legal and preventive medicine revealed by the
Article reçu le 21 décembre 2004.
Adresse de correspondance et de tirés à part : Dr. S. ZAOUI
Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences,
Université Aboubekr Belkaid – Tlemcen -Algérie.
Biologie & Santé vol. 7, n° 1, 2007
study of the ABO and rhesus systems
discovered also by Landsteiner in 1939, have
shown a great interest and help the doctors to
work easily ( Mourant and al, 1978). Besides,
this ABO system is an excellent marker in the
genetic domain within a population. The
establishing of the genes frequency A, B and O
in different regions of the world (Mourant and
al, 1976) gives the bases of the theories about
the origin and migrations of the different
populations. The A,B,O system seems to hold
an important role in the behaviouring. These
genes seem to have pleiotropes effects
predisposing the individuals to belong to a
socioeconomical group or to another
(Beardmore and Karimi-Booshire, 1983).
62
S. Zaoui et al.
In the countries of the Maghreb according to the
informations of Metal, 1955; Levee, 1965;
Corrine, 1968; Ruff and al., 1969;
Simonovic,1970; Mozzarella, 1970 we can see
the regional fluctuations through the four
countries of the Maghreb. The frequency of the
gene A reaches its maximum in the area of
Tripoli « Lybia » 0.2599 while its minimum is
observed in the Hoggar « Algeria » 0.0539
Benabadji and al., 1965.
The gene B is found in large quantities in
Morocco (area of Bergent) its frequency reaches
0.1544 (Leveque, 1955) while its frequency
diminishes in the area of Saoura (Algeria) and
in the tribe of (Aït Hdiddou) of the mountains of
the Atlas in Morocco (0.04). The frequency of
the gene O reaches its maximum always in the
area of Saoura (Algeria) 0.7789 and its
minimum 0.3448 in the area of Ourgla
(Algeria).The remaining area of Maghreb
present an almost homogeneal distribution of
which the phenotype O frequency varies
between 69% - 70%.
conducted on the determination of
frequencies of the genes A, B, O, D and d in
the different (Daira) of wilaya of Tlemcen in
West Algeria, which permitted us to see the
significative differences between the town of
Tlemcen, and the whole (Daira). In the 16th
century, the arrival of Turkish in this region
and the socio-economical factors can be the
cause of this variation.
Material and methods
Our studies takes place in the Northwest of
Algeria and extend from the littoral
(mediteranian) in the North, to be steppe in
South, this area constitutes a real geographic
sample representative of the national territory
(Fig. 1).
As for the rhesus system, we see a predominance of the complex cDe that reaches 0.50
in the inhabitants of Tidikelt (South of Algeria).
In a general manner, the inhabitants of the
Maghreb are caractized by elevated frequency
of the positive rhesus group.
In Algeria, works and studies have already been
done in order to determinate the ABO and
rhesus blood groups frequencies (Solal and al.,
1952; Auza, 1957; Ruffié and al.,
1960;1962;1963 and 1966; Benabadji and
Chemla, 1971; Aïreche and al., 1982.
However, a recent and precise study on the
geographical distribution of the blood groups in
West Algeria seems to be necessary on the one
hand because the earlier studies in this field
were insufficient and on the other hand. Since
the independence, the migration flows to this
side of the country. Our work has been
63
Carte. Région de Tlemcen avec les cinq villages étudiés:
Ghazaouet, Sebdou, Ouled- Mimoun, Remchi, Maghnia.
Figure 1: Map of the Tlemcen area showing the
five villages covered in the study.
Biologie & Santé vol. 7, n° 1, 2007
ABO and rhesus blood groups system in West Algerian.
Sampling:
Our sample is constituted of 11943 givers,
having no relationship and deducted
previously in both urban and rural milieu. The
urban milieu represents the town of Tlemcen
with its difference Neighborhoods.
05 villages that are respectively represent the
rural milieu:
Ghazaouet : situated at 60 Km North the town
of Tlemcen (littoral area)
Remchi : 25 Km North the town of Tlemcen
Maghnia : 40 Km West the town of Tlemcen
Ouled-Mimoun : 33 Km East the town of
Tlemcen
Sebdou : 48 Km South the town of Tlemcen
Settlement of the samples
Biologie & Santé vol. 7, n° 1, 2007
The sample is distributed as following :
Urban milieu
(Town of Tlemcen)
Rural milieu :
Ghazaouet
Sebdou
Ouled-Mimoun
Remchi
Maghnia
Methods
:
:
:
:
:
:
2759
2249
1349
1315
1581
2240
The collection of blood has been practiced
according to the double method of Beth
Vincent and Simon ; we have used reactive
responding to the international norms.
The previous deduction of blood :
64
S. Zaoui et al.
The blood drops have been previously
deducted on pupil fingertips aged between 10
and 12, from different schools in the area of
Tlemcen.
Collection of the given facts in the register:
The registers of blood givers of the years 87-88
and 89 of the blood transfusion and the health
centers in Tlemcen, Ghazaouet, Sebdou,
Remchi, Ouled-Mimoun and Maghnia have
been stripped and the individuals have been
classified according to their ages and their
residences.
Calculation of the genes A, B, O, D and d
frequencies :
The frequency of genes A, B, O, D and d have
been settled according to the law of « Hardy
Weinberg » and « Bernstein's » method
(Started in 1903 and 1908 ).
For comparison of the gene frequencies, we
have used the following formula Test d’e:
I p1 – p2 I
ε = ---------------pq + pq
2N1 2N2
P1, p2, p and q: the gene frequencies.
N1 and N2 : samples effective
The c2
test was used for frequency
comparisons.
Results
The ABO system:
Phenotype frequencies and gene frequencies of
the Tlemcen population in the urban area and
rural area are shown in table1. We find that
phenotype frequencies of “O” blood group is
besides elevated in urban area 44.04% than
rural area 48.51%. The statistical study shows
a very significant differences between
65
Tlemcen town and the five village (c2
calculated = 61.09; the critical value at 5 % =
24.996). Although there is no significative
difference between the five villages (c2
calculated = 7.826; the critical value at 5 % =
21.026). So we gathered the samples of the
five village and we compared them with the
those of Tlemcen. The result was interesting
because we found a significative difference (c2
calculated = 53.27 ; critical value at 5% = 7.81
and at 1% 16.26).
Afterwards we calculated the frequencies of
the genes A, B and O. Two by two statistical
comparisons of the gene frequencies of the
population are given in table 2, 3 and 4. This
comparison by the test e showed a very
significant difference between urban region
(Tlemcen town) and rural region (the five
villages), for the three genes A, B and O.
The results concerning the distribution of the
Rhesus blood groups system for phenotypes
frequencies and gene frequencies
are
represented in table 5. The comparison of this
distribution showed a good homogeneity in the
different villages (c2 calculated = 6.44; critical
value at 5% = 11.070). The Rh+ and Rhphenotype frequencies in the whole (region) of
Tlemcen as well as the genes D and d
frequencies are represented in table 6.
Tables 7 and 8 gives the comparison of the
gene frequencies of this system between
different area taken two by two. When we
compare by epsilon test we observed that the
difference is not significant difference between
the Tlemcen town and the village of Remchi.
On the other hand the difference is
significatively between the town of Tlemcen
and the other villages ( maghnia, ghazaouet,
sebdou and Ouled-Mimoun ). In the rural area
light difference is signalled between ghazaouet
and remchi (e = 1.98 ). ``
We think that the unsignificative difference
Biologie & Santé vol. 7, n° 1, 2007
ABO and rhesus blood groups system in West Algerian.
between Maghnia and Sebdou is due to the
small shape of the sample of Sebdou. The
frequencies of the gene « d » in Maghnia,
Ghazaouet, Sebdou and Ouled-Mimoun aren’t
significatively different.
Biologie & Santé vol. 7, n° 1, 2007
Discussion
The system ABO :
The result obtained concerning the frequencies
of the genes A, B and O show no significative
66
S. Zaoui et al.
difference from one (village) to another in the
(region) of Tlemcen. However, the results
concerning the town of Tlemcen urban area
revealed significative differences with each on
of these villages (Sebdou, Remchi, OuledMimoun, Ghazaouet and Maghnia) represent
rural area. These differences are characterized
by a significative high frequency (0.2460) of
the gene A in the population of the town of
Tlemcen compared with the frequency
(0.2070) obtained in the 5 other villages (e =
67
6.1359). And as for the gene O, its frequency is
significatively low in the town of Tlemcen
(0.6635) than in the five villages (0.6870) ; (e
= 3.2683). At last, the gene B is significative ly
less frequent in the town of Tlemcen (0.0873)
than in the other Daïras (0.1093) ; (e = 4.6798).
Our results, concerning the five villages
compared with results obtained in some West
Algerian (region) (Bendjelloul, 1986) doesn't
show significative differences. A study already
done in the area (Ruffié and al, 1962,
Biologie & Santé vol. 7, n° 1, 2007
ABO and rhesus blood groups system in West Algerian.
Benabadji and Chemla, 1971) and carrying on
a sample of 245 individuals, gave the values
(0.182 ; 0.099 and 0.718) as being respectably
the frequencies of this genes A, B and O in the
area. The individuals of this sample were the
inhabitants of Tlemcen, Maghnia and M’sirda.
These results are little bit close to what we had
obtained in the Daïras of Tlemcen but they are
very different of our results obtained in the
town of Tlemcen. This frequency between
Tlemcen and the 5 other Daïras of the genes A,
B and O seems interesting and we can explain
it in two difference ways:
1. The reach history of Tlemcen, as a big
culture and administrative city, a place of
meeting of many civilisations : Barbarian,
Arabic, Moresque and Turkish simplify the
explanation of these different frequencies and
that, we think, can be due to 2 factors. In fact
if we admit that in the population of Western
different areas, the frequencies of the gene A,
B and O were about the same in the 16th
century, this is due to the marriage between
Arabic and barbarian.
Biologie & Santé vol. 7, n° 1, 2007
68
S. Zaoui et al.
2. During many centuries, the arrival of
Turkish families in the Town from the 16th till
the 19th, explain the increase of the gene A
frequency and the diminution of the gene O
frequency, since the Turkish population, the
studies proved that the gene A frequency is
high and the gene O frequency is reduced a lot.
The following board gives the frequencies of
the genes A, B and O in Turkey (Binyildiz.P
and C. Buyukyuksel, 1979), Tlemcen-city and
villages.
The observation of this board shows clearly
that the population of Tlemcen city may be a
mixture of the population that already existed
before the arrival of the Turkish ; this
population is represented by the inhabitants of
the five others Daïras of Tlemcen and the
Turkish population that came in the 16th
century. In fact, the Tlemcen city population
represents the genic frequencies A and O
intermediary between booth populations :
Turkish and the population of the five Daïras
of Tlemcen.
However, we take in consideration the socioeconomical factors and their relation with the
blood groups. In fact, in a study made by J.A.
Beadmore and KARIMI F. (1983) on two
English populations living in two areas,
showed that in both of them the distribution of
blood groups in different social classes. In fact
in the classes I and II where the individuals are
rich or at ease and have jobs that demand a
high qualification the phenotype A is higher
than the class III and IV. The last ones have an
increase in the phenotype O and that can
explain why in Tlemcen city full of rich and
highly qualified people we have a lot of the
phenotype A and less O.
In the actual state of knowledge ; it is
impossible to answer to this question, because
on one side we don’t dispose of the given facts
relative to the profession or salary of the
69
individuals of our samples and on the other it
wouldn’t be wise to take Beadmore and
Booshehri’s conclusion for granted because
their study has been done on a population very
far from ours geographically, historically and
culturally.
The rhesus system :
The light variation of the genes D and d
frequency that exists between the populations
in the region of Tlemcen and that increases for
the genes d, from the town of Tlemcen 0.1681
till the area of Ouled-Mimoun 0.1988 by
passing by different medium values in the
Daïras has already been observed in previous
works by Solal, Hanoun, Auzas, 1952 ; Auzas,
1957 and Ruffié, Carbannes, Larrouy, 1962.
These authors like us observed 2 things :
1. A light variation by going from one area to
another. Since they already found the gene d
frequencies in some areas of the Algerian West
equal to :
Oranais 0.420 Solal, Hanoun,Auzas, 1952
Flittas 0.280 Auzas, 1957
M’sirda 0.300 Ruffié, Cabannes, Larrouy, 1962
2. the gene d frequency much reduced in
comparison with the populations of Europe
0.38 and Turkey 0.316 (Binyildiz.P and
Buyukyuksel, 1979).
This reduced frequency of the gene d is
observed in different areas of our country since
in the great Kabylie we found 0.279 (Zermati,
1951) ; it is also observed in the countries of
the Maghreb :
In Morocco, we found 0.234 in the population
of the area of Aït-Hdiddou (Johnson, Ikin and
Mourant, 1963).
In Tunisia we found in the North 0.278; in the
South 0.292 and in the general population
0.261 (Ranque and coll. 1961).
Biologie & Santé vol. 7, n° 1, 2007
ABO and rhesus blood groups system in West Algerian.
It is difficult for us immediately to give
explanations of these variations of the value of
d in the wilaya of Tlemcen. We estimate that
these selective factors and a certain genetic
isolation are responsible of this variation.
However it seems necessary to us to drive your
intention to the fact that the reduction of this
variation in our samples and the variation
relatively big mentioned in previous works can
be explained by the reduction of the genetic
isolation of the populations in different
villages of Tlemcen area.
Conclusion
This study about the determination and the
distribution of the genes A, B, O, D and d of
blood groups of the Two systems ABO and
rhesus gave us interesting results.We found
some difference in gene frequencies between
populations considered in this study.
The essential factors of this difference can be
explained by difference ways.
A deeper study of blood groups in witch, the
socio-economical factors, the origin of the
families, the weeding and consanguinity
degree will be very interest.
This study will be much more interesting if it
gathers the other blood systems as well as the
seric groups.
Résumé
Sur un échantillon de plus de onze mille
individus résidant dans la wilaya de Tlemcen
(région Ouest algérien ), nous avons déterminé
les fréquences des groupes sanguins A, B, AB,
O, rhésus positif et rhésus négatif et les
fréquences des gènes de ces deux systèmes ( A,
B,O, D et d ). Des différences de fréquences
phénotypiques et géniques ont été constatées
Biologie & Santé vol. 7, n° 1, 2007
entre la population de la ville de Tlemcen
d’une part et la population de l’ensemble des
Daïras d’autre part. En effet, dans la
population de la ville de Tlemcen les
fréquences des phénotypes A, B, AB, O, Rh+
et Rh- sont respectivement : 39.28 %; 12.84 %;
3.84 % ; 44.04 %; 97.17 % et 2.83 %. Dans
l’ensemble des Daïras, ces fréquences sont
respectivement : 32.13 % ; 15.68 % ; 4.98 % ;
47.21 % ; 96.40 % et 3.60 %. Quant aux
fréquences des gènes A, B, O, D et d, elles sont
respectivement égales à : 0.2460; 0.0873;
0.6635; 0.8319 et 0.1681 dans la population de
la ville de Tlemcen. Dans la population de
l’ensemble des Daïras, les fréquences de ces de
ces gènes sont respectivement égales à :
0.2070; 0.1093; 0.6870; 0.8103 et 0.1897.
Mots-clés : Polymorphisme, Système ABO, Système
rhésus, population, Fréquence, Tlemcen, Algérie.
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