The relationship between blood group type and visceral leishmaniasis in Iran

Abstract EN

Background : 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 patient.

Methods : 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).

Results : 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.

Conclusion : 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.