Secretor status as a genetic marker in duodenal ulcer--a comparative study.

It has long been established that various human body secretions like saliva, semen, gastric juice contain blood group antigens. The individuals whose body fluids other than blood contain blood group antigens are known as secretors whereas the rest are nonsecretors. The secretor status of an individual is a genetically controlled factor. The role of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer is well established. Support for hereditary tendency in duodenal ulcer is contributed by the occurrence of duodenal ulcer in both members of the monozygotic twins. This observation was strengthened by a significant association between blood group "O" and duodenal ulceration. Clarke found a higher frequency of non-secretors in duodenal ulcer patients than in controls. This study reports the secretor status of endoscopically proven cases of duodenal ulcer and apparently healthy controls and comparisons of our results with those reported by other investigators.