The Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in blood donors related to Lewis (a,b) histo-blood group phenotype

Objective: To study a possible association of the Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence with ABO(H) and Lewis (a,b) blood group phenotypes in blood donors. Design: A cross-sectional study of blood donors using ABO(H) and Lewis (a,b) blood group phenotype as predictors. Methods: ABO(H) and Lewis (a,b) blood group phenotyping was performed with monoclonal antibody. The H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody relative activity was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using acid glycine extract from H. pylori. Subjects: One hundred and fifty-nine randomly selected blood transfusion donors. Results: The individuals with Lewis (a+b-)/non-secretor phenotype showed a significantly higher proportion of the H. pylori-seronegative subjects and a lower IgG immune response to H. pylori antigens as compared with the individuals of Lewis (a-b+)/secretor phenotype. Conclusion: The Lewis (a,b) histo-blood group antigens are implicated in the mechanisms of naturally occurring resistance to H. pylori infection.