THE ROLE OF ABO BLOOD GROUP SYSTEM IN THE OCCURRENCE OF VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM

Abstract

Abstract Background. The association of blood group antigens, especially those from the ABO system and some diseases is well known. The alleles of the ABO locus have functional effect on the level of some plasma coagulation factors which contributes to a thrombophilic condition and increase the risk for occurrence of venous thromboembolism. Aim. To examine relationship between ABO blood genotype with the occurrence of thromboembolic disease in our population, as well as to asses the risk for thrombosis in individuals with non-OO blood group genotype in comparison to those who poses it. Material and methods. This prospective case control study included 52 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and a control group of 50 healthy subjects who do not have a personаl or family history of thrombosis. The tests wеre performed on a sample of venous blood 2-6 ml in EDTA, in the laboratories of the Institute of transfusion medicine in R.N. Macedonia. In addition to the serological ABO typing, ABO aleles from ABO system (A1, A2, O1, O2, B) were determined by molecular methods (PCR-SSP and RT-PCR). Results. The results from ABO phenotyping and ABO genotyping performed in patients with VTE, as well as in the control group, show significant correlation with non-OO genotypes and occurrence of VTE in our population, in manner of increased additional trombotic risk, as a result of ABO system. Patients with VTE with non-OO genotype are with significant higher prevalence with 86.5%, in comparison with 13.5% occurrence of OO genotypes (x2 test p=0,027 (p<0.05)). The most frequent genotype in group of patients with VTE is O1A1 with 40.4%, while in control group is O1O1 with 32% occurrence. The genotype O1A1 is most frequent genotype in three groups of patients with VTE, in group of patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) and in those where is diagnosed DVT and PE in the same time, with occurrence of 35.7%, 55.5% and 50% respectively, but with significant lower occurrence of this genotype in control group with 24%. Genotype A1A1 has statistically significant correlation with occurrence of PE in our population. In correlation with occurrence of DVT are O1A1 and O1B genotypes and in correlation with PE is O1A1 genotype. Conclusion. The results confirm association on ABO blood group system with the occurrence of venous thromboembolism, so non-OO genotypes are connected with higher trombotic risk in comparison with OO genotypes in population in R.N. Macedonia.