A Srividya1, S P Pani. 1. Vector Control Research Centre, Pondicherry, India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Using modern statistical techniques, we investigated the controversial relationship between lymphatic filariasis and blood groups in a very large number of patients. METHODS: The ABO blood group, microfilaraemia and symptomatic disease status of 1444 persons was determined. The association between the filarial status and ABO blood group was studied by the Chi-square test and the method of logistic regression by fitting a model. This method simultaneously tested for association of factors such as blood groups and age with the occurrence of parasitaemia or filarial disease. RESULTS: The ABO blood groups were not risk factors in the occurrence of patent parasitaemia or filarial disease though age was associated with the occurrence of microfilaraemia and symptomatic disease. CONCLUSION: ABO blood groups are not associated with the occurrence of bancroftian filariasis.
BACKGROUND: Using modern statistical techniques, we investigated the controversial relationship between lymphatic filariasis and blood groups in a very large number of patients. METHODS: The ABO blood group, microfilaraemia and symptomatic disease status of 1444 persons was determined. The association between the filarial status and ABO blood group was studied by the Chi-square test and the method of logistic regression by fitting a model. This method simultaneously tested for association of factors such as blood groups and age with the occurrence of parasitaemia or filarial disease. RESULTS: The ABO blood groups were not risk factors in the occurrence of patent parasitaemia or filarial disease though age was associated with the occurrence of microfilaraemia and symptomatic disease. CONCLUSION: ABO blood groups are not associated with the occurrence of bancroftian filariasis.