Association between ABO blood group and hepatitis B and C infection

Background: Hepatitis is among the major health problems, especially in developing countries. During past decades, the association between type of blood group (ABO) and hepatitis B and C virus has always been discussed. This study was designed to investigate the possible association between type of ABO blood group and chronic hepatitis B and C infection. Methods: In the present analytical study, frequency of blood groups and their relationship with hepatitis B and C were evaluated in three groups: group A (patients with hepatitis B), group B (patients with hepatitis C) and group control (subjects with non-hepatitis B and C). The study was done from October 2016 to October 2018 on patients who referred to Rasool-e-Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Demographic and laboratory data of all participants were extracted and collected from their medical records. Results: Overall, 196 and 103 patients in group A, B and three hundred control were included in this study, respectively. The baseline demographic data of patients were not significantly different between treatment groups. The mean age of participants was 35.1±13 years. The O blood group was significantly higher in patients with hepatitis B (46.4%) and hepatitis C (41.9%) compared to control group (34%) (P=0.001). The risk of hepatitis B and C infection were significantly higher among patients with O blood group (OR = 3.9, 95% CI 2.1-5.9; P = 0.001) and (OR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.7-5.6; P = 0.02), respectively] while, the risk of hepatitis B infection was significantly lesser in participants with blood group A (OR = 0.4, 95% CI -1.2-0.8). Rh positive participants significantly were at higher risk of hepatitis (B and C) than Rh negative participants. (P<0.05). Conclusion: Participants with blood group O were at higher risk for chronic hepatitis B and C B infection and antigen (Rh) positive. Hepatitis B infection was reported lesser in participants with blood group A.