Blood group systems and Helicobacter pylori

Because of well-known associations between gastrointestinal diseases and bl ood groups the correlation between Helicobacter pylori prevalence and ABO g roups and the Rhesus system is investigated. A prospective 3-year study was carried out on 1017 consecutive patients. Two biopsies were taken from bot h the antrum and the body, and the biopsies were subjected to the urease te st as well as to an histological examination. Helicobacter pylori was only considered to be present if both tests were positive. The usual exclusion c riteria were used. Despite a striking accumulation of negative results for blood group 0, there were no significant correlations between ABO groups an d Helicobacter pylori prevalence. There was an astonishingly highly signifi cant correlation between positive Rhesus factor and negative Helicobacter p ylori testing and vice versa, which could not be completely explained yet.