Blood groups, serum groups and red cell enzyme types in allergic contact dermatitis.

Abstract

Frequencies of blood groups (ABO, MNSs, Lewis and Duffy), serum groups (Hp, Gc, Tf, C3 and Pi) and red cell enzyme types (PGM₁, 6PGD, AK and ESD) were studied in 195 patients with allergic contact dermatitis caused by one or several allergens. The frequency of the blood group 0 was found to be significantly lower among patients with contact allergy, whereas the frequencies of the blood group Le (a–b–), the haptoglobin group Hp 1–1 and of rare Pi types (MS and MZ) were significantly increased. A significant deficiency of heterozygotes was found in the PGM₁ system. In the Gc system the frequency of the Gc¹ gene varied between patients with different numbers of allergies.