The Stonehouse study: secretor status and carriage of Neisseria species.
The genetically determined inability to secrete the water-soluble glycoprotein form of the ABO blood group antigens into saliva and other body fluids is a recognized risk factor for meningococcal disease. During a community-wide investigation of a prolonged outbreak of disease due to a B15:P1.16 sulphonamide-resistant strain of Neisseria meningitidis in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire (the Stonehouse survey), the ABO blood group and secretor status of almost 5000 residents was determined. The proportion of non-secretors in the Stonehouse population was significantly higher than the proportion of non-secretors among blood donors in the South West Region and in England generally. Seven of 13 Stonehouse residents with meningococcal disease who were tested were found to be non-secretors, a high proportion. The outbreak in Stonehouse cannot be explained solely in terms of the increased proportion of non-secretors. There was no clear correlation between the proportions of non-secretors in different areas within the town and the incidence of cases of meningococcal disease. Carriers of meningococci, whether outbreak or other strains, were not more likely to be non-secretors. The reasons why non-secretors are more susceptible to meningococcal disease remain to be determined, but they do not appear to be related to carriage of meningococci.
Blackwell
C C
CC
Department of Bacteriology, University of Edinburgh.
Weir
D M
DM
James
V S
VS
Cartwright
K A
KA
Stuart
J M
JM
Jones
D M
DM
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000235:genetics*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002353:Carrier State; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D007519:Isoantigens; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens