P1 blood group antigen expression and epidemic hemolytic uremic syndrome

P1 blood group positivity has been postulated as a host factor which may provide protection against the development of post-enteropathic hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). In this study, blood group status in 20 Inuit survivors of Escherichia coli O157:H7-associated HUS was compared with age- and sex-matched controls from the same community who had experienced uncomplicated diarrheal illness due to the same pathogen. Of 20 HUS survivors, 6 were P1 antigen positive compared with 8 of the 20 controls (P = 0.7). We conclude that P1 antigen positivity was not protective against HUS in this population. Further studies of this condition to clarify the role of host factors in verotoxin-induced endothelial damage are indicated.