Association of recurrent vaginal candidiasis and secretory ABO and Lewis phenotype.
The relationship between ABO-Le secretor phenotype and susceptibility to recurrent idiopathic vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) was investigated. ABO and Lewis blood typing was done for 38 women with RVVC (case-patients) and for women in 2 control groups, consisting of 58 healthy women, who were friends identified by case-patients, and 38 race-matched, healthy hospital employees. The 3 groups were similar with regard to age and race. There was no difference in the distribution of ABO phenotype between case-patients and controls. Case-patients were more likely than members of either control group to have Le(a+ b-) (nonsecretor) rather than Le(a- b+) (secretor) blood type. With combined nonsecretor Le(a+ b-) phenotype and absence of the Lewis gene Le(a- b-), the relative risk of chronic recurring vulvovaginal candidiasis was 2.41-4.39, depending on the analysis technique and control group. In conclusion, there is an increased frequency of ABO-Le nonsecretor status among women with RVVC.
Chaim
W
W
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit Medical Center, Michigan, USA.
Foxman
B
B
Sobel
J D
JD
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000145:classification; D000328:Adult; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000097:blood*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens; D010641:Phenotype; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens