relation between ABO blood groups, HLA typing and giardiasis in children

ABSTRACT

A total of 455 children were chosen randomly and surveyed for giardiasis by stool examination using several techniques. A case control study design was adopted, where 91 cases of giardiasis [symptomatic and asymptomatic] and 101 children giardiasis free were examined. ABO blood groups and HLA typing were investigated. It was concluded that blood group A was more susceptible to giardiasis especially asymptomatic form, while blood group B was less susceptible to giardiasis. On the other hand, there was no association between AB or O and giardiasis. But, there was a strong association between HLA A10, A11, B5, B7 and B17 phenotypes and symptomatic giardiasis and an association as well between HLA B7, B17, Bw14 and Bw40 and asymptomatic giardiasis