Lewis blood group system in leprosy patients

• Autor(a) principal: Silva, Eliane Aparecida
• Data de Publicação: 2000
• Outros Autores: Rúbio, Eliana Milanesi, Ura, Somei
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Hansenologia Internationalis (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.saude.sp.gov.br/hansenologia/article/view/36433
• topic: Mycobacterium leprae; Fenótipo Lewis; Fenótipo secretor; Grupo sanguíneo; Hanseníase; Mycobacterium leprae; Lewis phenotype; Secretor phenotype; Blood group; Leprosy

The distribution of Lewis blood group phenotypes in the saliva and on the erythrocytes of leprosy patients were evaluated, Forty seven patients and forty controls were analyzed by means of an agglutination and agglutination inhibition test for the presence of ABH and Lewis antigens on erythrocytes and in the saliva, The frequency of the Lewis phenotypes and secretor and non-secretor phenotypes were determined among the patients and in the control group. The results were: Le(a- b+) =29,8% (62,5%); Le(a+ b-) = 25,5% (7,5%); Le(a- b-) = 44,7% (30,0%); secretor = 59,5% (85%) and non secretor = 40,5% (15%) respectively. Statistical analysis using the X2 test showed significant difference between patients and controls concerning the Lewis phenotype (x2 = 10,46; D,F. = 2; p= 0,005) and secretor phenotype (x2 = 5,64; D.F. = 1; p = 0,018), Using the Z testsignificant differences were found concerning the phenotypes Le (a+ b-) and Le (a- b+) (Z = 2,219; p = 0,027 and Z = 3,058; p = 0,002). The resultsindicate that phenotype Le (a+ b-) is associated with susceptibility to leprosy and secretor phenotype with protection. It is speculated that the presence of Leb' in the saliva inhibits the adherence of M, leprae to the mucosa cells thus protecting against infection.