ABSTRACT
There is a close relation between cellular antigens and several diseases. Due to this relation a study was made of the red cell antigen system in 40 patients with Bipolar Disease, who fulfill the diagnostic criteria established by the international classification of Mental Diseases (CIE-10) and 40 control subjects. Known methodology (Orthodiagnostic) was used for the following red cell antigens: ABO, Rh, Hr, MNSs, S, Kidd, Kell, Lewis, Duffy y U. A high prevalence was found in A, RhD, C, Duffy (Fya), Kidd (Jkb), S antigens (p < 0.05), while non significant differences were found in the other antigenic systems studied. It is important to note the close ubication of the locus of the genes, responsible for the antigens with high prevalence, and the susceptibility genes for the bipolar disease. Based in this study it is possible to conclude that persons presenting a high prevalence of the mentioned antigens could be more susceptible to develop the Bipolar Disease.