Single-cell analysis of the RHD blood type for use in preimplantation diagnosis in the prevention of severe hemolytic disease of the newborn
Article Abstract:
The RhD antigen, the antigen that triggers a reaction in Rh-negative women to an Rh-positive fetus, can be identified on a single human blastomere. Blastomeres are the very early products of division of the fertilized egg. Polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the DNA of the RhD gene in 20 blood samples of known bloodtype, 20 amniotic fluid samples, and 60 cell-cultures of single lymphoblasts, a white blood cell, of known genotype. The presence or absence of the RhD-antigen gene was then evaluated. Correct diagnosis was made 96% of the time. Ten single lymphoblasts and seven human blastomeres underwent amplification of all DNA followed by amplification of the RhD gene. Ninety-seven percent of the single cells were successfully amplified. This procedure could allow Rh-negative women already sensitized to the RhD antigen to be implanted with an Rh-negative fetus through an in vitro fertilization procedure.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1995
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Accuracy of prenatal determination of RhD type status by polymerase chain reaction with amniotic cells
Article Abstract:
The RhD blood type of fetuses may be determined early in pregnancy through the analysis of amniotic fluid without sensitizing the mothers' blood to the fetus's different blood type. Such analysis may enable doctors to know whether or not to treat the mother with anti-D immunoglobulin to prevent sensitization of the mother's blood and poor outcomes for the fetus. Researchers performed amniocentesis on 95 pregnant women whose blood was RhD negative and where the father's blood was RhD positive. Amniotic fluid was analyzed for fetal RhD type by polymerase chain reaction and the results were compared to either fetal blood samples or to samples of umbilical cord blood after birth. Thirty-six fetuses were correctly typed as RhD negative, and 96 of 98 fetuses were correctly typed as RhD positive.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1995
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CD34+ cells from first-trimester fetal blood are enriched in primitive hemopoietic progenitors
Article Abstract:
Fetal blood samples taken during the first trimester have many stem cells that could be used to treat congenital blood diseases. Stem cells are immature cells that can mature into various types of tissues, such as blood, nerves, muscles, and bone. Fetal blood can be taken as early as 12 weeks and the stem cells could be used in gene therapy.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 2003
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