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ABH secretor status in saliva of Calabar Municipality residents
A O Emeribe1, C A Igweagu, E E Osim
1Department of Haematology, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Insights
This study found that 13.10% of residents in Calabar Municipality are non-secretors of ABH substances. This low prevalence of non-secretors, linked to duodenal ulcers, suggests a reduced risk in the area.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Human Genetics
- Population Genetics
Background:
- ABH secretor status, the expression of ABH antigens in bodily fluids, is genetically determined.
- Secretor status influences susceptibility to certain diseases, including duodenal ulcers.
- Understanding the prevalence of secretor and non-secretor phenotypes is crucial for population health assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of salivary ABH secretor and non-secretor phenotypes in healthy residents of Calabar Municipality.
- To determine the correlation between secretor status, ABO blood groups, age, and sex.
- To estimate gene and phenotype frequencies for the secretor (Se) locus.
Main Methods:
- Saliva and blood samples were collected from 176 healthy individuals.
- Salivary ABH substances were analyzed using the haemagglutination inhibition method.
- ABO blood grouping was performed using the standard tube method.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of ABH secretors was 86.90% and non-secretors was 13.10%.
- A significant correlation (P < 0.001) was found between secretor status and ABO blood group phenotypes.
- No significant correlation was observed with age or sex. Subjects with blood group O had higher H-substance titers, while AB subjects had the lowest.
- Gene frequencies for Se and se were 0.6390 and 0.3610, respectively. Phenotype prevalence rates were Se/se (40.83%), Se se (46.15%), and se se (13.10%).
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of non-secretors in Calabar Municipality is relatively low (13.10%).
- This finding suggests a potentially lower risk of duodenal ulcer disease in this population, as non-secretor status is associated with increased susceptibility.
- The study provides valuable data on the genetic landscape of ABH secretor status in the Nigerian population.
Abstract:
One hundred and seventy six healthy residents of Calabar Municipality were investigated for the presence of salivary ABH substances. Saliva and blood samples collected were analysed by haemagglutination inhibition and standard tube ABO grouping methods respectively. 86.90% and 13.10% of the subjects were ABH secretors and non-secretors respectively. A significant correlation was established between the secretor status frequency and ABO blood group phenotypes (P less than 0.001). No correlation was established with age or sex. O blood group subjects had higher titre of H-substances than A and B subjects while AB subjects had the lowest. In AB subjects, the A titre was usually higher than that of B substances. The gene frequencies for Se and se were 0.6390 and 0.3610 respectively while the phenotype prevalence rates for Se/se, Se se and se se were 40.83%, 46.15% and 13.10% respectively. It is concluded that the prevalence rate of non-secretors which has been associated with the occurrence of duodenal ulcer is low in the locality.