Relationship of ABO and Lewis Blood Groups in Patients with Urinary Tract Infection

Aims: Urinary tract infection is the most common adult bacterial infection worldwide. Antigens of ABO and Lewis blood groups may influence bacterial adherence and lead to an increase in the frequency of urinary tract infections in adults. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of ABO and Lewis blood groups with urinary tract infections. Materials Methods: In this experimental study, a blood sample of 80 urinary tract infection patients from AL-Sader Teaching Hospital, Iraq, and 50 healthy persons was used for the determination of ABO and Lewis blood groups by agglutination assay. Urine samples of urinary tract infection patients were cultured and identified based on culture characteristics, gram staining, and biochemical tests. Findings: Urinary tract infection was significantly higher in patients with the O blood group (42.5%) and the Lewis (a-b-) phenotype (38.8%) than in patients with other blood groups and the control group. Escherichia coli was the most common bacterial isolate observed in urinary tract infection patients. Also, E. coli was significantly higher in the UTI patients with the O blood group and the Lewis (a-b-) phenotype. Conclusion: People of the O blood group and the Lewis (a-b-) phenotype are more susceptible to urinary tract infections. Escherichia coli is the main cause of urinary tract infections.