This is one of the autoimmune disorders highlighted here: RhD negative subjects have increased the risk of developing of certain heart diseases, respiratory diseases and some immunity and autoimmunity related diseases, for example rheumatoid arthritis. The general pattern suggests that RhD negative subjects could have problems with autoimmunity, could be more resistant to infections of viral origin and could be less resistant to infections of bacterial origin. The probable roles of the RhD-containing complex in keeping the normal morphology and adhesiveness of red cells (for review see ) could be responsible for the observed associations of RhD negativity with some haematological and inflammation-related diseases, including arthritis.