Biosynthesis of A, H, and Lewis blood group determinants in Fasciola hepatica.

Classical methods usually applied in human blood group enzyme assays allowed the detection in Fasciola hepatica of 3-alpha-N-acetyl-D-galactosaminyl-transferase, 2 and 4 alpha-L-fucosyltransferases that correspond to A, H, and Lewis human blood group gene-specified enzymes. Their presence indicates the ability of F. hepatica to synthesize A, H, and Lewis blood group antigens that were recently observed in the liver fluke. The biological significance of the data is discussed in terms of host-parasite relationships.