Haptoglobin polymorphism, plasma haptoglobin level and ABO blood group in leprosy patients

Objective: To analyze haptoglobin polymorphism, plasma haptoglobin concentration, and ABO blood groups associated with leprosy.Methods: Blood groups were determined using monoclonal anti-A and anti-B.Haptoglobin was genotyped by PCR; plasma haptoglobin concentration was measured by ELISA.Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 and P-values ≤ 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.Results: ABO blood groups in leprosy patients were found to have no significant difference compared to controls and the general population (P > 0.05).The data showed a lower frequency of Hp 1-1 (14.6%) and higher frequency of Hp 2-2 (25.6%) in leprosy patients compared to healthy controls (23.1% and 19.8%, respectively), without significant association (P = 0.315).The mean of haptoglobin concentration was higher in leprosy patients [(1.32 ± 0.70) mg/ mL] than in healthy controls [(1.17 ± 0.67) mg/mL] (P = 0.160).The mean (1.44 mg/mL) and median (1.37 mg/mL) values of haptoglobin concentration were significantly higher in male leprosy patients than in male healthy controls (1.11 mg/mL and 1.11 mg/mL, respectively) (P = 0.018).Independent sample t-test and One-way ANOVA analysis also indicated significant mean elevation of Hp along leprosy spectrum and bacterial index (P < 0.05). Conclusions:In conclusion, the study revealed absence of influence of Hp polymorphism and ABO blood groups on leprosy occurrence; however, plasma haptoglobin concentration elevates in leprosy patients and is significantly associated with leprosy spectrum and bacterial loads in patients.