Helicobacter pylori Infection in Various ABO Blood Groups of Kashmiri Population

AIM This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in various ABO blood groups of people of Kashmir. METHOD The study comprised 80 individuals - 50 peptic ulcer patients (whose disease was diagnosed by endoscopy) and 30 asymptomatic volunteers. Every subject's blood group and Rhesus status was determined by standard serological tests. Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed by three different methods viz., one minute endoscopy room test (urease test), Gram staining and by histology. The detection of Helicobacter pylori by histological examination using Giemsa staining was taken as the 'gold standard' for the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. RESULTS Out of 80 individuals, 67 were males and 13 females aged between 18-65 years. The majority of peptic ulcer patients had blood group 'O' (n = 28.56%). The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection amongst peptic ulcer patients was 76%. There was no difference in Helicobacter pylori positivity in various blood groups. CONCLUSION Blood group 'O' though a risk factor for peptic ulcer (Duodenal ulcer) is not a risk factor for acquiring Helicobacter pylori infection.