Association between secretor status and respiratory viral illness.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether non-secretion of blood group antigens is associated with respiratory virus diseases.

DESIGN:

Study of secretor status in patients with respiratory virus diseases determined by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) developed to identify Lewis (Le) blood group antigen phenotypes (Le(a) non-secretor; Le(b) secretor).

SUBJECTS:

Patients aged 1 month to 90 years in hospital with respiratory virus diseases (584 nasal specimens).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Criteria for validation of ELISA (congruence between results on ELISA testing of 1155 saliva samples from a previous study and previously established results on haemagglutination inhibition (HAI) testing, proportions of Le(a), Le(b), and Le- phenotypes in 872 samples of nasal washings from a previous study compared with the normal population). Secretor status of patients determined by ELISA and viruses isolated.

RESULTS:

Agreement between HAI and ELISA for 1155 saliva samples was 97%. Lewis antigens were detected by ELISA in 854 (97.9%) of nasal washings (Le(a) 233 (26.7%), Le(b) 621 (71.2%), and Le- 18 (2.1%)) in proportions predicted for a northern European population. Secretors were significantly overrepresented among patients from whom influenza viruses A and B (55/64, 86%; p less than 0.025), rhinoviruses (63/72, 88%; p less than 0.01), respiratory syncytial virus (97/109, 89%; p less than 0.0005), and echoviruses (44/44, p less than 0.0005) had been isolated compared with the distribution of secretors in the local population.

CONCLUSION:

Secretion of blood group antigens is associated with respiratory virus diseases.

• Authors: M W Raza, C C Blackwell, P Molyneaux, V S James, M M Ogilvie, J M Inglis, D M Weir
• Journal: BMJ (Clinical research ed.) (BMJ) Vol. 303 Issue 6806 Pg. 815-8 (Oct 05 1991) ISSN: 0959-8138 [Print] England
• PMID: 1932971 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Isoantigens
• Lewis Blood Group Antigens

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Humans
• Infant
• Isoantigens (analysis)
• Lewis Blood Group Antigens (genetics, immunology)
• Middle Aged
• Respiratory Tract Infections (blood, immunology)
• Saliva (chemistry, immunology)
• Virus Diseases (blood, immunology)