ABO, Rhesus Blood Groups and Haemoglobin Variants Distribution among Individuals with Helicobacter pylori in Igwuruta-Ali, Rivers State

Aims: The aim of the study is to determine the distribution of ABO & Rhesus blood groups, and haemoglobin variants among individuals in Igwuruta-Ali with Helicobacter pylori infection.

Study Design: This was a cross-sectional, field-based study carried out in Igwuruta-Ali, Ikwerre Local Government Area, in Rivers State.

Place and Duration of Study: All samples were analyzed at the Haematology Laboratory, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between July and September, 2018.

Methodology: Qualitative determination of Helicobacter pylori antigens using serological method. Qualitative determination of ABO and Rhesus blood group using tube method. Qualitative determination of haemoglobin genotype using electrophoretic method (cellulose acetate method). Blood samples were collected randomly based on convenient sampling from a total of 120 volunteers (age 10 to 70 years).

Results: A total of 103 subjects were sero-positive for Helicobacter pylori (37 males and 66 females; 35.9% and 64.1% respectively), while 17 subjects were sero-negative (8 males and 9 females; 47.1% and 52.9% respectively. ABO blood group distribution among sero-positive individuals were A(22.3%), B(13.6%), AB(8.7%), O(55.3%). The Rhesus blood group distributions in sero-positive individuals were Rhesus D positive (30.8%) and Rhesus D negative (6.67%); Sero-positivity for Helicobacter pylori was increased in females than in males and subjects with ABO blood group O were more prone to Helicobacter pylori than in other groups. The distribution of haemoglobin variants among sero-positive subjects were AA(71.84%), AS(22.33%), SS(5.83%).

Conclusion: The study reveals that O blood group individuals are more susceptible to Helicobacter pylori infection and they have more cellular and immunological response to it (expressed by sero-positivity) than other ABO blood groups (group B in particular), while no strong relationship exist between Rhesus D positive and Rhesus D negative subjects, and also no clear relationship based on haemoglobin genotype. Based on the fact that 55.3% of the study population that tested positive for Helicobacter pylori was O blood group individuals, O blood group is therefore associated with Helicobacter pylori. Also, the study revealed that females were more prone to Helicobacter pylori infection.