Relationship between ABO blood group and ABH secretor status in Kano, north-western Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

The determination of ABO Blood groups and ABH secretor status in blood and body fluid antigens respectively may have certain structural and disease related genetic linkages, hence the need to establish relationship between blood group and secretor status in the population.

METHOD: A total of 256 subjects comprised of blood donors and healthy pregnant women at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano were studied. Their ABO Blood groups and secretor status were determined by standard tile/tube and haemaglutination inhibition methods respectively.

RESULTS

The result of this study shows that blood group B had the highest percentage ofsecretors (85.33%) followed by blood group AB (83.33%). Blood group O had a value of 64.18% while blood group A had the lowest prevalence of secretors of 61.9% in Kano metropolis.

CONCLUSION

Blood groups A and O have lower prevalence of secretors compared to blood group B and AB, in Kano metropolis. There is need for further study to identify risk predisposition of these groups to cancer of the stomach and duodenal ulcer disease respectively; as reported in other parts of the world.