ABH secretor status in cystic fibrosis--a negative report.

In adults, the inability to secrete ABH blood group substances in water-soluble form has been recognized as an independent risk factor for the development of chronic obstructive lung disease. We studied 50 patients (mean age 12.1 years) with cystic fibrosis and identified 33 ABH secretors and 17 non-secretors. There was no correlation between secretor status and clinical status, spirometry measurements, salivary and serum lysozyme levels or rates of respiratory tract colonization with P. aeruginosa and S. aureus.