relationship between blood group type and visceral leishmaniasis in Iran

ABSTRACT

Visceral leishmaniasis [VL] or Kala-azar is still a common parasitic infection among children in Iran. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between blood group type and VL among Iranian patients. were enrolled. The bone marrow materials of 249 children who were clinically suspected for VL were provided from the posterior iliac spine by Jamshidi`s needle. LD bodies were identified in all cases and diagnosed as VL. The distribution of blood group type of all infected patients was compared with that of a control group of normal donors [2490]. There were 198 males and 51 females among VL patients. In both the VL and control groups, the maximum percentage was found in blood group O and minimum in blood group AB. Our results showed that the blood group was not a risk factor in the occurrence of VL. The ABO-Rh blood groups were not associated with the occurrence of VL in Iranian patients