The Duffy Blood Group System is a complex set of antigens found on the surface of red blood cells. The spelling of 'Duffy' in IPA phonetic transcription is /ˈdʌfi/. The 'D' sounds like the letter 'dah' and is followed by a short 'ʌ' sound like in 'run'. The 'f' sound is pronounced the same as a regular 'fuh'. The 'y' sound in Duffy is pronounced as a long 'ee' sound like in 'bee'. Understanding the phonetic pronunciation of this word can help healthcare professionals when discussing the Duffy Blood Group System.
The Duffy Blood Group System refers to a set of antigens present on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs). It is named after Dr. Cutbush Duffy, who discovered this system in 1950. The Duffy system is also known as the FY system, as it is denoted by the FY gene located on chromosome 1.
In this system, there are two antigens, referred to as Fya and Fyb, which are encoded by the FY gene. Individuals can possess either one or both of these antigens on their RBCs, resulting in three different phenotypes: FyaFyb, FyaFyb-, and Fya-Fyb-. The presence or absence of Fya and Fyb on RBCs can be determined through blood typing or serological tests.
The Duffy antigens play a vital role as receptors for the Plasmodium vivax parasite, which causes malaria. People with the Fy(a-b-) phenotype lack both Fya and Fyb antigens, making them resistant to infection by P. vivax. On the other hand, individuals with Fya or Fyb antigens are susceptible to this strain of malaria. This makes the Duffy Blood Group System significant in studying the susceptibility and resistance to malaria and understanding its prevalence in different populations.
Besides its association with malaria susceptibility, the Duffy antigens have been linked to other medical conditions, such as certain autoimmune disorders and diseases affecting pregnancy outcomes. Researchers and healthcare professionals utilize knowledge about the Duffy Blood Group System to provide appropriate treatment and care for individuals with these conditions.