Marko Lilic
Verified @vz.ht.hr
Scopus Publications
- Uncommon RHD variants and an unconventional RHCE hybrid allele with D epitope expression in blood donors from northwestern Croatia
Marko Lilić, Gordana Jaklin, Koraljka Gojčeta, Mirela Raos, Branka Golubić‐Ćepulić
Transfusion, 2025
BackgroundSome D variants, especially those expressed by hybrid alleles, can react falsely negative in routine serology tests. Recently, an increasing number of facilities have strived to implement a method for RHD molecular screening in blood donors.Study Design and MethodsThe participants in this two‐year prospective study were 735 unrelated voluntary blood donors from northwestern Croatia. Blood donors were individually tested for RHD sequences by qPCR. In reactive samples, D antigen was confirmed by adsorption/elution.ResultsRHD screening was performed by examination of RHD exons 3, 5, and 10 in 589/704 (83.7%) serologically D‐negative ccee samples, all being negative. Serology results of the Rh phenotype (C+ and/or E+) were confirmed by qPCR in the remaining 115 donors (16.3%). In this group, 112 donors were RHD‐negative. RHD DEL alleles were determined in two Ccee donors (0.28%): RHD*DEL32 and RHD*DEL44. One donor (0.14%) was homozygous for RHD deletion but revealed an RHD sequence in 5′‐UTR within the RHCE locus, c.‐132A. All three donors with Rh variants expressed D epitopes as displayed by adsorption/elution. The serologically weak D group (31 participants) contained seven RHD alleles.DiscussionThis study reports the DEL phenotype of RHD*DEL44 expression. The hybrid allele RHCE*D(1)‐CE was described previously, but here we illustrate the presence of D epitope(s) in a donor with homozygous RHD deletion. Weak D type 40 haplotype association was elucidated. Blood donor molecular Rh testing can prevent the immunization of genuine D‐negative patients by D‐positive units that reacted negatively in routine serological testing. - Association of ABO Blood Groups, D Antigen, and Comorbidities with COVID-19 Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients
Mirjana Suver Stević, Marko Lilić, Saška Marczi, Nenad Nešković, Ivana Haršanji-Drenjančević, Ljiljana Perić, Dario Sabadi, Mirna Glegj, Marina Samardžija
Covid, 2025
Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of identifying factors influencing disease susceptibility and severity. This study investigates the association of ABO blood groups, the D antigen, and comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes with COVID-19 severity among hospitalized patients in one Croatian center. Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed on 1687 moderately and severely ill COVID-19 patients and 7086 voluntary blood donors. We used medical records from PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients hospitalized at University Hospital Center Osijek in Osijek, Croatia, and compared their ABO, RhD, and comorbidity profiles with those of voluntary blood donors. Key clinical data and outcomes, such as mortality and comorbidities, were assessed. Results: Our findings reveal a statistically significant association between blood group A and severe COVID-19 outcome and mortality. Conversely, D antigen status showed no significant impact. The combined presence of hypertension and diabetes emerged as a significant predictor of mortality. Conclusions: These results suggest that blood group A and specific comorbidities may be associated with worse outcomes, but age remained the strongest independent predictor of mortality. Blood group typing could still support risk stratification when interpreted alongside other clinical factors. - Identification of the Novel HLA-C*06:44:02 Allele by Next-Generation Sequencing in a Serbian Individual
Barbara Jovanovic, Zorana Andric, Danica Velickovic, Nikola Kacaki, Marko Lilic
Hla, 2025
The novel HLA‐C*06:44:02 allele differs from HLA‐C*06:44:01 by one synonymous nucleotide substitution in exon 2. - Comprehensive Characterization of Anti-HLA and Non-HLA Antibodies in Patients on Kidney Transplant Waiting List and Evaluation of Their Impact on Alloimmunization Risk and Dialysis Treatment
Aida Mujić Franić, Marko Lilić, Nataša Katalinić, Ljubica Glavaš-Obrovac
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024
Alloimmunization remains a major obstacle to successful kidney transplantation, mainly due to the formation of anti-HLA antibodies. In recent years, non-HLA antibodies have emerged as additional immunologic factors that can potentially contribute to graft rejection. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and specificity of both anti-HLA and non-HLA antibodies in patients with end-stage renal disease on a waiting list for kidney transplantation. Serum samples from 74 patients were analyzed using complement-dependent cytotoxicity and solid-phase assays. IgG anti-HLA antibodies were identified in 43.2% of participants, while IgG non-HLA antibodies were detected in 91.9%. The most frequent non-HLA antibodies included anti-ENO1 (28.4%), anti-FIBR1 (23.0%) and anti-PRKCZ (23.0%). A significant difference was found between the number of distinct IgG anti-HLA and IgG non-HLA antibody specificities. However, no significant correlation was found between the number of IgG non-HLA antibody specificities and previous alloimmunization events or dialysis treatments. These results suggest that non-HLA antibodies, although often overlooked, can sometimes play a critical role in transplant outcomes. Routine testing for non-HLA antibodies, in addition to mandatory anti-HLA antibody screening and identification, could improve immunologic risk assessment in transplant patients and post-transplant care. - Impact of human leucocyte antigen class II polymorphism on anti-red blood cell antibody development: Correlations and indications
Milanka Milosavić, Marko Lilić, Zorana Andrić
Vox Sanguinis, 2024
Backround and ObjectivesBlood transfusion therapy is vital for many patient groups. They can cause many complications, and the development of anti‐red blood cell (RBC) antibodies is of significant importance. Molecules of class II human leucocyte antigens (HLA) are one of the several factors that influence antibody development in patients.Materials and MethodsIn this study, we investigated 108 patients who developed antibodies against different erythrocyte antigens and 115 patients on multiple transfusion therapies who did not develop anti‐RBC antibodies. The HLA loci HLA‐DRB1 and HLA‐DQB1 were typed using commercial molecular assays routinely used in HLA laboratories.ResultsAn increased frequency of the HLA‐DRB1*04 allele group was observed in patients who developed antibodies. Additionally, HLA‐DRB1*09 was also significant for anti‐E development and in patients with multi‐specific alloimmunization. It was found that the HLA‐DRB1*07 allele group is associated with antibodies to antigents of the Rh and MNS systems but also lacks an association with anti‐K development. The HLA‐DRB1*11 and ‐DRB1*01 allele groups displayed a protective mechanism for anti‐E development, similar to that of HLA‐DQB1*02 for anti‐K.ConclusionThere is an association between various HLA class II alleles and anti‐RBC development. - Rare Occurrence of RHD Null Alleles With Del Expression Among Serologically D-Negative Blood Donors
Marko Lilić, Gordana Guzijan, Snezana Srzentic
Scripta Medica Banja Luka, 2024
Background/Aim: An investigation into the diversity of serologically D-negative blood donors in the Republic of Srpska entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina forms the basis of this research. The primary purpose of the study was the examination of RHD variants over a period of five years. Methods: A comprehensive depiction of the RHD distribution in D-negative blood donors is achieved through a combination of serological observations and DNA testing (PCR-SSP with fluorometric signal detection), involving 74,149 blood donors. The adsorption/elution method was used to confirm the Del phenotype. Results: A small fraction (0.31 %) of the serologically D-negative blood donors was found to contain eight different RHD alleles. The Del phenotype of the RHD*01N.03 and RHD*01EL.44 alleles was highlighted, challenging the common perception that these alleles are associated exclusively with a D-negative expression. Conclusion: The importance of molecular methods in analysing and understanding Del variants, which typically elude conventional serological assays , is underscored by the findings. A group of donors seemingly having the RHD*01 allele but who lacked D antigen expression was encountered, hinting at the potential presence of still unidentified, possibly geographically restricted, RHD variants or alterations in other genes responsible for the expression of Rh proteins in the erythrocyte membrane. - Genotyping of Eight Human Platelet Antigen Systems in Serbian Blood Donors: Foundation for Platelet Apheresis Registry
Snezana Jovanovic Srzentic, Marko Lilic, Natasa Vavic, Ivana Radovic, Iva Djilas
Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy, 2021
<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The aim of this study was to investigate the allele and genotype frequencies of 8 human platelet antigen (HPA) systems among blood donors from the Blood Transfusion Institute of Serbia and to compare them with published studies. These data would be useful to establish the basis for a platelet apheresis donor registry. <b><i>Material and Methods:</i></b> Seventy-two unrelated male platelet apheresis/blood donors from Serbia were typed for 8 HPA systems (HPA-1 to HPA-6, HPA-9, and HPA-15) via the FluoGene method, based on polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific amplification (PCR-SSP; PCR using sequence-specific primers) with fluorometric signal detection. Allele and genotype frequencies were estimated by direct counting and compared to the expected genotype frequencies according to the Hardy-Weinberg principle. The transfusion mismatch probability was calculated for every HPA specificity. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The allele frequencies were: HPA-1a, 0.868; HPA-1b, 0.132; HPA-2a, 0.917; HPA-2b, 0.083; HPA-3a, 0.611; HPA-3b, 0.389; HPA-5a, 0.903; HPA-5b, 0.097; HPA-9a, 0.993; HPA-9b, 0.007; HPA-15a, 0.472; and HPA-15b, 0.528. For HPA-4 and HPA-6 only allele <i>a</i> was detected. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> The HPA allele frequencies of European populations showed no significant differences in comparison with our results. Statistically significant differences were revealed in comparison with some populations of non-European origin. In the tested donors no HPA-2 bb genotype was detected, but we found 1 donor with the rare HPA-9b allele. The biggest transfusion mismatch probability in the Serbian population is for systems HPA-15 (37.4%) and HPA-3 (36.2%), which means that more than a third of random transfusions could cause mismatch in these systems. This study was enabled by the introduction of molecular HPA typing, and it provides initial results of the HPA allele and genotype frequencies in the population of blood donors in Serbia. They will be used to provide a compatible blood supply on demand for treating patients with alloimmune thrombocytopenic disorders. The successful implementation of PCR-SSP with fluorometric signal detection could be further complemented in the future by the introduction of high-throughput methods, which will largely depend on the available financial resources. - Implementation of Molecular RHD Typing at Two Blood Transfusion Institutes from Southeastern Europe
Gordana Guzijan, Snezana Jovanovic Srzentic, Natasa Pavlovic Jankovic, Iva Djilas, Marko Lilić
Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy, 2019
<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Determination of RhD variants in blood donors, pregnant women, and newborns is important for transfusion strategies, in order to prevent RhD alloimmunisation and hemolytic disease of fetuses and newborns. Implementation of molecular RHD typing in two transfusion institutes is presented in this article, from Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Belgrade (Serbia). <b><i>Study Design and Methods:</i></b> Blood donors’ RhD was checked by direct agglutination assays (tube) and indirect antiglobulin test (gel). Molecular RHD typing was performed by PCR-SSP with fluorometric signal detection in both centres. Donors were selected by weak RhD serological reactivity (Banja Luka, 85 samples; Belgrade, 62 samples) or serologically RhD-negative C/E-positive results (Banja Luka, 92 samples; Belgrade, 61 samples). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Among serologically determined weak D donors from the institute from Banja Luka, weak D type 3 was the most frequent (58.8%), followed by type 1 (35.3%) and DNB (1.2%), whereas results obtained at the Belgrade institute were distributed between weak D type 1 (41.9%), type 3 (30.7%), type 14 (6.5%), type 15 (1.6%), and DNB with anti-D (1.6%). In 17.7% of serologically typed weak D samples from the Belgrade institute, the molecular typing result was standard D. Additionally, RHD presence was detected in 9.8% of serologically RhD-negative, C/E-positive samples from both institutes. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Rh molecular testing was successfully implemented in both blood transfusion institutes in Banja Luka and Belgrade. This study proved the efficiency of serological algorithms for weak D, as well as the presence of the RHD gene among serologically tested RhD-negative, C/E-positive samples. - Molecular Typing of RhD-Negative Blood Donors With C and/or E Antigen
Gordana Guzijan, Milanka Milosavić, Danijela Radojković-Sredić, Marko Lilić, Biljana Jukić
Scripta Medica Banja Luka, 2019
Background: Most people are either RhD positive or RhD negative, but there is also a number of persons with D antigen variants. The aim of this study was to prove, by using molecular diagnostic tests, whether the RHD gene and D antigen on the red cell membrane of the blood donors serologically typed as RhD-negative with RhD phenotype Ccddee and ccddEe, are so weak that they cannot be proven by serology techniques or the available anti-D test serums. Methods: Samples used are those of regular voluntary donors who were serotyped as RhD-negative, C and/or E positive. Samples were collected from voluntary donors at the Institute for Transfusion Medicine of the Republic of Srpska during the period from April 2016 to December 2018. Results: Among the serologically proven RhD-negative donors, 346 had C and/or E in their phenotype and those were subjected to molecular screening test. Conclusion: The first results of molecular typing match those published in literature, i.e. the RHD gene is present in some serologically RhD-negative forms, which was proven by molecular testing.
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
- Determination of non-HLA antibodies and detection of their complement-binding properties in patients with end-stage renal disease
AM Franic, M Lilic, N Katalinic, L Glavas-Obrovac
FEBS OPEN BIO 15, 369-370 , 2025
2025 - Association of ABO Blood Groups, D Antigen, and Comorbidities with COVID-19 Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients
M Suver Stević, M Lilić, S Marczi, N Nešković, I Haršanji-Drenjančević, ...
COVID 5 (6), 90 , 2025
2025 - Genetic Analysis of Eight Clinically Relevant Human Platelet Antigen Systems in blood Donors from Eastern Croatia Led Toward the Identification of the Rare HPA-9b Allele
A Bugarin, E Knezovic, M Glegj, M Lilic, MS Stevic, M Samardzija, ...
HLA 105 , 2025
2025 - Evaluation of the Complement-Binding Properties of Multiple Non-HLA Antibodies in Patients on the Kidney Transplant Waiting List
AM Franic, M Lilic, N Katalinic, L Glavas-Obrovac
HLA 105 , 2025
2025 - Uncommon RHD variants and an unconventional RHCE hybrid allele with D epitope expression in blood donors from northwestern Croatia
M Lilić, G Jaklin, K Gojčeta, M Raos, B Golubić-Ćepulić
Transfusion 65 (7), 1319-1327 , 2025
2025
Citations: 2 - Slučaj slabog izražaja antigena A kod davatelja krvne grupe B: mogući rijetki fenotip-prikaz slučaja
M Raos, M Lukić, F Plenković, I Horvat, Z Kruhonja Galić, I Babić, ...
Liječnički vjesnik: glasilo Hrvatskog liječničkog zbora. Suplement 147 (S1 … , 2025
2025 - Identification of the Novel HLA‐C*06:44:02 Allele by Next‐Generation Sequencing in a Serbian Individual
B Jovanovic, Z Andric, D Velickovic, N Kacaki, M Lilic
HLA 105 (1), e70034 , 2025
2025
Citations: 1 - Comprehensive Characterization of Anti-HLA and Non-HLA Antibodies in Patients on Kidney Transplant Waiting List and Evaluation of Their Impact on Alloimmunization Risk and …
A Mujić Franić, M Lilić, N Katalinić, L Glavaš-Obrovac
International journal of molecular sciences 25 (22), 12103 , 2024
2024
Citations: 6 - Rare Occurrence of RHD Null Alleles With Del Expression Among Serologically D-Negative Blood Donors
M Lilić, G Guzijan, S Jovanović Srzentić
Scripta Medica 55 (3), 307-315 , 2024
2024 - Impact of human leucocyte antigen class II polymorphism on anti-red blood cell antibody development: Correlations and indications
M Milosavić, M Lilić, Z Andrić
Vox sanguinis 119, 720-727 , 2024
2024
Citations: 3 - Molecular identification of RHD alleles in serollogicaly RhD-negative blood donors from Northwestern Croatia
M Lilic
Dissertation Thesis , 2022
2022 - Molekularno određivanje alela RHD u populaciji serološki RhD negativnih davatelja krvi sjeverozapadne Hrvatske
M Lilić
PhD thesis , 2022
2022 - Molekularno određivanje alela RHD u populaciji RhD negativnih davatelja krvi sjeverozapadne Hrvatske
M Lilić, G Jaklin, K Gojčeta, M Raos, B Golubić Ćepulić
8. Hrvatski transfuziološki kongres 143 (Liječnički vjesnik, Suppl. 2), 52 , 2021
2021
Citations: 1 - Važnost određivanja protutijela anti-HLA u transfuzijskoj medicini
E Čečuk-Jeličić, S Jaman, M Tarabene, S Dajak, M Lilić
8. Hrvatski transfuziološki kongres 143 (Liječnički vjesnik, Suppl. 2), 101-102 , 2021
2021 - Genotyping of eight human platelet antigen systems in Serbian blood donors: Foundation for platelet apheresis registry
S Jovanovic Srzentic, M Lilic, N Vavic, I Radovic, I Djilas
Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy 48 (4), 228-233 , 2021
2021
Citations: 15 - Molecular typing of RhD-negative blood donors with C and/or E antigen
G Guzijan, M Milosavić, D Radojković Sredić, M Lilić, B Jukić
Scripta Medica 50 (2), 97-101 , 2019
2019
Citations: 3 - Implementation of molecular RHD typing at two blood transfusion institutes from southeastern Europe
G Guzijan, S Jovanovic Srzentic, N Pavlovic Jankovic, I Djilas, M Lilić
Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy 46 (2), 114-120 , 2019
2019
Citations: 17 - First report on allelic distribution of HLA loci obtained by sequence-specific oligonucleotide typing for population of bone marrow registry donors in Bosnia and Herzegovina
J Knezevic, D Nedic, A Primorac Maric, A Buntic Galic, M Lilic
HLA 89 (6), 444-444 , 2017
2017 - Prvi rezultati u genotipizaciji serološki slabih oblika D antigena kod davalaca krvi u Republici Srpskoj
G Guzijan, M Lilić, B Jukić, M Milosavić, S Mitrović
Scr Med 48, 61-67 , 2017
2017 - First results in genotyping for blood donors of the Republic of Srpska with serological weak D antigen
G Guzijan, M Lilić, B Jukić, M Milosavić, S Mitrović
Scripta Medica 48 (1), 61-67 , 2017
2017
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
- Implementation of molecular RHD typing at two blood transfusion institutes from southeastern Europe
G Guzijan, S Jovanovic Srzentic, N Pavlovic Jankovic, I Djilas, M Lilić
Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy 46 (2), 114-120 , 2019
2019
Citations: 17 - Genotyping of eight human platelet antigen systems in Serbian blood donors: Foundation for platelet apheresis registry
S Jovanovic Srzentic, M Lilic, N Vavic, I Radovic, I Djilas
Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy 48 (4), 228-233 , 2021
2021
Citations: 15 - Comprehensive Characterization of Anti-HLA and Non-HLA Antibodies in Patients on Kidney Transplant Waiting List and Evaluation of Their Impact on Alloimmunization Risk and …
A Mujić Franić, M Lilić, N Katalinić, L Glavaš-Obrovac
International journal of molecular sciences 25 (22), 12103 , 2024
2024
Citations: 6 - Impact of human leucocyte antigen class II polymorphism on anti-red blood cell antibody development: Correlations and indications
M Milosavić, M Lilić, Z Andrić
Vox sanguinis 119, 720-727 , 2024
2024
Citations: 3 - Molecular typing of RhD-negative blood donors with C and/or E antigen
G Guzijan, M Milosavić, D Radojković Sredić, M Lilić, B Jukić
Scripta Medica 50 (2), 97-101 , 2019
2019
Citations: 3 - Uncommon RHD variants and an unconventional RHCE hybrid allele with D epitope expression in blood donors from northwestern Croatia
M Lilić, G Jaklin, K Gojčeta, M Raos, B Golubić-Ćepulić
Transfusion 65 (7), 1319-1327 , 2025
2025
Citations: 2 - Identification of the Novel HLA‐C*06:44:02 Allele by Next‐Generation Sequencing in a Serbian Individual
B Jovanovic, Z Andric, D Velickovic, N Kacaki, M Lilic
HLA 105 (1), e70034 , 2025
2025
Citations: 1 - Molekularno određivanje alela RHD u populaciji RhD negativnih davatelja krvi sjeverozapadne Hrvatske
M Lilić, G Jaklin, K Gojčeta, M Raos, B Golubić Ćepulić
8. Hrvatski transfuziološki kongres 143 (Liječnički vjesnik, Suppl. 2), 52 , 2021
2021
Citations: 1 - Determination of non-HLA antibodies and detection of their complement-binding properties in patients with end-stage renal disease
AM Franic, M Lilic, N Katalinic, L Glavas-Obrovac
FEBS OPEN BIO 15, 369-370 , 2025
2025 - Association of ABO Blood Groups, D Antigen, and Comorbidities with COVID-19 Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients
M Suver Stević, M Lilić, S Marczi, N Nešković, I Haršanji-Drenjančević, ...
COVID 5 (6), 90 , 2025
2025 - Genetic Analysis of Eight Clinically Relevant Human Platelet Antigen Systems in blood Donors from Eastern Croatia Led Toward the Identification of the Rare HPA-9b Allele
A Bugarin, E Knezovic, M Glegj, M Lilic, MS Stevic, M Samardzija, ...
HLA 105 , 2025
2025 - Evaluation of the Complement-Binding Properties of Multiple Non-HLA Antibodies in Patients on the Kidney Transplant Waiting List
AM Franic, M Lilic, N Katalinic, L Glavas-Obrovac
HLA 105 , 2025
2025 - Slučaj slabog izražaja antigena A kod davatelja krvne grupe B: mogući rijetki fenotip-prikaz slučaja
M Raos, M Lukić, F Plenković, I Horvat, Z Kruhonja Galić, I Babić, ...
Liječnički vjesnik: glasilo Hrvatskog liječničkog zbora. Suplement 147 (S1 … , 2025
2025 - Rare Occurrence of RHD Null Alleles With Del Expression Among Serologically D-Negative Blood Donors
M Lilić, G Guzijan, S Jovanović Srzentić
Scripta Medica 55 (3), 307-315 , 2024
2024 - Molecular identification of RHD alleles in serollogicaly RhD-negative blood donors from Northwestern Croatia
M Lilic
Dissertation Thesis , 2022
2022 - Molekularno određivanje alela RHD u populaciji serološki RhD negativnih davatelja krvi sjeverozapadne Hrvatske
M Lilić
PhD thesis , 2022
2022 - Važnost određivanja protutijela anti-HLA u transfuzijskoj medicini
E Čečuk-Jeličić, S Jaman, M Tarabene, S Dajak, M Lilić
8. Hrvatski transfuziološki kongres 143 (Liječnički vjesnik, Suppl. 2), 101-102 , 2021
2021 - First report on allelic distribution of HLA loci obtained by sequence-specific oligonucleotide typing for population of bone marrow registry donors in Bosnia and Herzegovina
J Knezevic, D Nedic, A Primorac Maric, A Buntic Galic, M Lilic
HLA 89 (6), 444-444 , 2017
2017 - Prvi rezultati u genotipizaciji serološki slabih oblika D antigena kod davalaca krvi u Republici Srpskoj
G Guzijan, M Lilić, B Jukić, M Milosavić, S Mitrović
Scr Med 48, 61-67 , 2017
2017 - First results in genotyping for blood donors of the Republic of Srpska with serological weak D antigen
G Guzijan, M Lilić, B Jukić, M Milosavić, S Mitrović
Scripta Medica 48 (1), 61-67 , 2017
2017