Susceptibility of Human Blood Groups to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infections

Abstract

Susceptibility of blood groups to HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B virus infections in human subjects was studied. One hundred and fifty adult male and female patients who came for routine check up at the Heart to Heart Centre, General Hospital Calabar and the General Hospital Ogoja in Cross River State were used for this investigation.The patients were classified into three groups with group I consisting of sixty (60) normal subjects ( i.e. non HIV/AIDS and non HBV patients) serving as control. Group II was made up of sixty (60) HIV/AIDS infected patients only and group III had thirty (30) patients co-infected with HIV/AIDS and HBV. Blood and serum samples were collected and screened for both HIV/AIDS and HBV. The blood and serum samples were assayed for totalprotein and bilirubin levels, aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT) activities, antioxidants vitamins levels and determination of blood groups. The results showed that group O+ had increased levels relative to control and others,suggesting that patients with blood group O+ are more susceptible to HIV/AIDS and HBV infections. The results showed that blood group B+ had decreased level relative to the control and other blood groups, suggesting that patients with blood group B+ may resist HIV/AIDS and HBV infections. The results also revealed that AST and ALT activities were significantly increased, suggesting hepatic peroxidation and liver damage. The results also showed that the antioxidant vitamins(vitamin A and vitamin C) were significantly decreased, suggesting high level of free radicals leading to hepatic peroxidation and liver damage.