ABO/secretor genetic complex and susceptibility to asthma in childhood

A positive association has recently been reported in adult subjects between O/nonSecretor phenotype and asthma, To confirm this association, this stud y investigated the joint ABO/Secretor phenotype in a cohort of 165 asthmati c children, Three-hundred and sixty-two consecutive newborn infants from th e same population were also studied as controls. The proportion of O/nonSecretor in asthmatic children was higher than in co ntrols, thus confirming the association found in adults, The association wa s more marked in males than in females, In males, the pattern of associatio n between the joint ABO/Secretor phenotype and asthma is dependent on the a ge at on-set of symptoms, Since the oligosaccharide composition of cell membrane and mucosal secretio ns is controlled by the cooperative interaction of ABO and Secretor genes, and since such composition influences the adhesion of infectious agents, th e age pattern could reflect a more general interaction between developmenta l maturation and oligosaccharide structure concerning their effects on susc eptibility to viral and bacterial agents.