Bombay blood group: Is prevalence decreasing with urbanization and the decreasing rate of consanguineous marriage

• Published in: Asian journal of transfusion science Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 129 - 132
• Main Authors: Mallick, Sujata, Kotasthane, Dhananjay S, Chowdhury, Puskar S, Sarkar, Sonali
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd 01-07-2015; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Anti-H antibody; Antigens; B cells; Blood transfusions; Bombay blood group; Genotype & phenotype; H antigen; Lectins; Original; Population; Prevalence studies (Epidemiology); Rural areas; Urbanization; India; Bombay blood group; H antigen; Anti-H antibody
• ISSN: 0973-6247; 1998-3565
• DOI: 10.4103/0973-6247.162695

Bombay blood group although rare is found to be more prevalent in the Western and Southern states of India, believed to be associated with consanguineous marriage.
To estimate the prevalence of the Bombay blood group (Oh) in the urban population of Puducherry. To find the effect of urbanization on consanguineous marriage and to establish whether consanguinity plays a part in the prevalence of Oh group. To compare Oh group prevalence with that of other neighboring states, where population is not predominantly urban.
This is a descriptive study in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, over a period of 6 years.
All blood samples showing 'O' group were tested with anti-H lectin. Specialized tests like Adsorption Elution Technique, inhibition assay for determination of secretor status were performed on Oh positive cases. Any history of consanguineous marriage was recorded.
All variables were categorical variable and percentage and proportions were calculated manually.
Analysis of the results of 35,497 study subjects showed that the most common group was 'O' group constituting 14,164 (39.90%) of subjects. Only three "Oh" that is, Bombay phenotype (0.008%) were detected. Consanguinity was observed in two cases (66.66%).
This study shows the prevalence of Bombay blood group representing the urban population of Puducherry, to be high (0.008%) and associated with consanguineous marriage (66.66%). Thus, consanguinity is still an important risk factor present, even in an urban population in Southern India.