HUMORAL RESPONSE IN BLOOD GROUP-P PHENOTYPE PERSONS SUBJECTED TO AN AVIAN ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The avian environment contains many antigens; the blood group substance P1. The P1 antigen is present in certain Enterobacteriaceae found in bird droppings. Examples include Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter haffniae and Proteus. P2 persons exposed to the avian environment may develop anti-P1 activity. A greater percentage of precipitins to bird antigens was found in P2 than in P1 persons. In P1 persons, 7 out of 28 (25%) had precipitins to bird droppings. In P2 persons, 10 out of 13 (77%) had anti-P2 activity and 9 out of 13 (69%) had precipitins to bird droppings. This greater response in P2 persons may be explained by the constant stimulation of these persons lacking the P1 antigen that triggers more response with other antigens in addition to the P1 antigen. In the study of immunological responses to inhaled antigens, the blood group of the patients should be determined to assess the importance of constant stimulation by foreign material in persons lacking some blood group antigens.