The Relationship of American Visceral Leishmaniasis to ABO Blood Group Type

Thomas Evans Division of Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908

Search for other papers by Thomas Evans in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Talapala G. Naidu Nucleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil

Search for other papers by Talapala G. Naidu in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Joaquim Eduardo De Alencar Nucleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil

Search for other papers by Joaquim Eduardo De Alencar in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
Richard D. Pearson Division of Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908

Search for other papers by Richard D. Pearson in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access

It has been hypothesized that the Leishmania use a system of camouflage or mimicry of human ABO blood group antigens to evade host defense mechanisms. In order to test this hypothesis, the distribution of ABO blood groups among healthy control donors and among patients with visceral leishmaniasis in northeastern Brazil was compared. No significant differences were found between patients with American visceral leishmaniasis and controls, indicating that ABO blood group type is not an important determinant in the development of clinically apparent visceral leishmaniasis in that area. The findings raise doubt about the validity of the original hypothesis.

Author Notes

Past two years Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 608 328 23
Full Text Views 3 0 0
PDF Downloads 2 0 0
 

 

 

 
 
Affiliate Membership Banner
 
 
Research for Health Information Banner
 
 
CLOCKSS
 
 
 
Society Publishers Coalition Banner
Save