The relation between ABO blood groups, HLA typing and giardiasis in children.

A total of 455 children were chosen randomly and surveyed for giardiasis by stool examination using several techniques. A case control study design was adopted where 91 cases of giardiasis (symptomatic and asymptomatic) and 101 children giardiasis free were examined. ABO blood groups and HLA typing were investigated. It was concluded that blood group A was more susceptible to giardiasis especially asymptomatic form, while blood group B was less susceptible to giardiasis. On the other hand, there was no association between AB or O and giardiasis. But, there was a strong association between HLA A10, A11, B5, B7 and B17 phenotypes and symptomatic giardiasis and an association as well between HLA B7, B17, Bw14 and Bw40 and asymptomatic giardiasis.