ABO Associated Genetic Determinant in H1N1 Influenza

Abstract

Young people, in the winter of 1977-78 lacked all prior antigenic experience with H1N1 influenza. The attack rate among them was observed to be lowest (42%) in blood group O subjects and highest (59%) in blood group AB subjects. This indicates that there is an ABO associated genetic determinant in resistance against H1N1 influenza. The antibody response to the viral hemagglutinin did not vary substantially according to the ABO status.