Blood Agglutinins in Filariasis

Abstract

A study was made of the frequency distribution of the A, B blood groups in filarial patients who had circulating micro-filariae. This frequency distribution was compared to the systemic variation of these blood groups in the general population of Okinawa. It was found that the incidence of micro-filaremia was greater in persons whose sera contained no natural antibody to group A red blood cells. Higher micro-filaria counts were also noted in the persons whose blood did not contain [alpha] agglutinins. The possible physiological function of the blood groups is not known. The serol. relationship of A substance to some bacterial and helminthic carbohydrates suggests that the blood group substances may have an immunological role.