The role of ABO blood groups and secretor status in host defences.
Epidemiological studies on the associations between ABO blood group antigens, secretor status and susceptibility to infectious agents are summarized. Evidence for association of non-secretion with some autoimmune diseases for which infectious aetiologies have been proposed is also given. Several hypotheses are proposed to explain the host-parasite interactions underlying the epidemiological observations, and evidence to support or refute them is presented.
Blackwell
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CC
Department of Bacteriology, Medical School, University of Edinburgh, U.K.
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers; D015981:Epidemiologic Factors; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008954:Models, Biological
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D015415:Biomarkers; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens