Korean J Blood Transfus.  2014 Aug;25(2):113-122. 10.0000/kjbt.2014.25.2.113.

The Relationship between ABO Blood Group Phenotypes and Seroprevalence of Infectious Disease in Korea

• Jang HB
• Kim SG
• Lee AJ
• Suh HS
• Jeon CH
• Ahn HS

• KMID: 2029267
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/kjbt.2014.25.2.113

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The distribution of ABO and Rhesus D (RhD) blood group antigens differs according to race and region. Previous studies have reported that blood group type was associated with not only transfusion-related diseases but also various diseases, such as malignancy and infectious disease. However, true relationship of blood groups and many diseases remained controversial. The aim of this study was to determine whether ABO and RhD blood groups are correlated with several infectious diseases.
METHODS
From January 2003 to December 2012, we retrospectively reviewed results for HBsAg, HCV Ab, HIV Ab, VDRL, HAV IgM, CMV IgM, EBV VCA IgM, and Clostridium difficile toxin A and B (CD toxin). We also reviewed ABO and RhD results of these patients. Data were analyzed using chi-square test and binary logistic regression test. Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were determined.
RESULTS
A total of 109,898 medical records of ABO and HBsAg results were reviewed. Blood group type-A was more prone to have positive results with HBsAg, while blood group type-O was less affected (odds ratio 1.086, P=0.003, odds ratio 0.935, P=0.029, respectively). With 3,171 records of CD toxin, blood group type-O was more affected (odds ratio 1.247, P=0.027). The relationship of the other serologic results and blood groups was not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION
Seroprevalence of HBsAg and CD toxin showed an association with blood group type. Blood group type-A had higher HBsAg seroprevalence than the other group. Blood group type-O was more prone to have CD toxin.

Keyword

ABO blood group; Seroprevalence; Hepatitis B surface antigen; Clostridium difficile

MeSH Terms

Blood Group Antigens
Clostridium difficile
Communicable Diseases*
Continental Population Groups
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
Herpesvirus 4, Human
HIV
Humans
Immunoglobulin M
Korea
Logistic Models
Medical Records
Odds Ratio
Phenotype*
Retrospective Studies
Seroepidemiologic Studies*
Blood Group Antigens
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
Immunoglobulin M