Lack of association between ABO histo-blood groups,secretor and non-secretor phenotypes, and anti-Toxoplasma antibodies among pregnant women

Lack of association between ABO histo-blood groups,secretor and non-secretor phenotypes, and anti-Toxoplasma antibodies among pregnant women from the northwestern region of Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Cinara C. Branda~o de Mattos, Juliana R. Cintra, Ana I.C. Ferreira, Ligia C.J.F. Spegiorin, Katia J. Galisteu, Ricardo L.D. Machado, Luiz C. de Mattos

Arch Med Sci 2008; 4, 3: 254–258

Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii infects humans in several manners including by
the gastrointestinal tract where a-2-L-fucosyltransferase (FUTII) coded by the
FUT2 gene (19q13.3) controls the expression of the ABH glycoconjugate profile.
The presence of functional FUTII defines the secretor phenotype which is
associated with ABO erythrocytic phenotypes. Due to the epidemiological and
clinical importance of T. gondii infection, the aim of this work was to test the
hypothesis that the ABH glycoconjugate profile expressed in the gastrointestinal
tract is associated with the presence of antibodies against this parasite.
Material and methods: A total of 367 pregnant women from the High-Risk Pregnancy
Clinic of the University Hospital de Base in Sa~ o José do Rio Preto were enrolled in
this study. Two blood samples were drawn with only one being mixed with
anticoagulant. ABO erythrocytic phenotyping and detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies
were achieved by the haemagglutination test. Identification of the secretor status
used the PCR-RFLP method.
Results: Differences in the ABO erythrocytic phenotypes (P=0.20) and secretor and nonsecretor
phenotypes (P=0.41), either in isolation or in association, were not statistically
significant with respect to the presence or absence of anti-T. gondii antibodies.
Conclusions: These results suggest that the ABH glycoconjugate profile expressed
in the gastrointestinal tract under regulation of the FUT2 gene is not associated
with anti-T. gondii antibodies.

For article, contact Cinara Mattos: mattosci@gmail.com