Abstract
In a recent study of filariasis on Okinawa, 1 data on the frequency distribution of the A, B blood groups were collected. Certain differences in the frequencies of the blood groups, in comparison to the systematic variation in the general population, were noted to occur in filarial patients who had circulating microfilariae; these differences warrant a brief note at this time.
The blood-group percentages of 1,000 persons from the villages of Fukeyama, Jinusza and Soke 2 (approximately 5% of the population) were compared with the frequency distribution of the A, B blood groups in 180 persons, from the same villages, who had circulating microfilariae. The degree of microfilaremia was determined by dilution counting 1 and its relationship to the blood group percentages was also studied. As noted in Table I, the incidence of filaremia is greater in persons whose sera contain no natural antibody to group A red blood cells. When the data were examined without reference to the variables that influence the degree of filaremia, it was found that persons whose blood did not containα-agglutinins had, as a rule, higher microfilarial counts. High α-and β-isoagglutinin titers (800-1600) were observed in the sera of many filarial patients, even in those who did not have microfilaremia. In several instances, the sera contained agglutinins active for the agglutinogens present in their cells. One group A and 4 group AB patients gave anomalous reactions of this type. The α-agglutinins were found in 4 of these cases and were present in low titer.
The possible physiological function of the blood group substance is not known. The serological relationship of A substance to some bacterial carbohydrates suggests that the blood group substances may have an immunological role. However, there is no experimental evidence that one blood group or type enjoys any advantage over the other in this respect.
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