H blood-group deficiency has a high frequency in Lahu Chinese.

摘要

Dear Sir,The Bombay and para-Bombay phenotypes are characterised by the deficiency of H, A and B blood-group antigens on the red blood cell. The most common reason for the para-Bombay phenotype in Orientals is an inactive FUT1 gene (or H) present together with a normal FUT2 gene (or Se). H blood-group-deficient phenotypes have been found in a diversity of ethnic groupsationalities. The frequency in Southeast Asia varies from estimates of approximately 1 : 5000-1 : 15 620. In this study, we found that the para-Bombay phenotype has a much higher frequency in Lahu Chinese than reported in any other ethnic group. Lahu is one of China's ethnic minorities deriving from Gansu, Qinghai area of ancient Qiang people. They lived a nomadic life early, then gradually moved southward and eventually settled in mountainous, remote and largely inaccessible area in southwestern China.