DISTRIBUTION OF ABO, RHESUS BLOOD GROUP AND HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN CALABAR SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori infection remains a public health issue and its pathogenesis is linked to ABO blood group and Rhesus blood system with diverse scientific reports. This study assessed the distribution of ABO, Rhesus Blood Group and Helicobacter pylori among Secondary School Students in Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria. Two hundred (200) subjects aged between 9 and 18 years were enrolled for this study. Informed consent was obtained from all parents of the participants and questionnaire administered. Blood group was done using standard tube method and Helicobacter pylori assayed using Rapid diagnostic kits( Micropoint Rapid diagnostic test(USA).Lot no.HP 1907).Statistical analysis was done using chi-square. One hundred and sixteen (116) respondents out of 200 were females representing 58% of the study population while eighty-four (42%) were males. Age group 13-15 made up 37% of the population with 74 children while age 10-12 were 58(29%), 15-18 were 48(24%) and the lowest age 9 with 20 respondents and 10%. Fifty-four (27%), 43 (21.5%), 31 (15.5%) and 72 (36%) students were of A, B, AB and O blood groups respectively. A total of 35 (46.5%), 23 (33.5%), 13(41.9%) and 40 (55.5%) students were seropositive for Helicobacter pylori infection of which belonged to groups A, B AB and O respectively. The age bracket of 13- 15 years 74(37%) had a higher H. pylori Infection rate of 56.3% across blood group O. Chi square analysis indicated that ABO blood group was significantly associated with H. pylori infection with respect to age (X2 = 43.612, P = 0.001). From this study, blood group O was the most predominant and is more susceptible to Helicobacter pylori infection while group AB was the lowest. However blood groups A and B showed close proximity, Rhesus D positive blood group was more abundant with a higher occurrence of Helicobacter pylori infection. This study suggest that ABO and Rh (D) blood groups and age influence seropositivity for Helicobacter pylori infection.