Evaluation of Secretor Status of ABH Antigens in the Saliva of Sokoto Residents in Northern Nigeria: A complementary Evidence of ABO Blood Groups in Forensic Science

Abstract

The presence of ABH blood group substances in the saliva of secretors can serve as additional evidence for ABO blood groups especially in the cases of forensic science. The secretor status of these substances have been scarcely examined especially in Northern Nigeria. This study therefore assessed the secretor status of ABH antigens in the saliva of healthy Sokoto residents in Sokoto. A total of 175 Sokoto residents (114 males and 61 females), aged 18-60 years, were recruited between June and October, 2019 at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto. Standard techniques were employed in the determination of ABO blood groups and secretor status of participants. Out of 175 healthy individuals studied, 144 (82.3%) and 31 (17.7%) were ABH secretors and non-secretors, respectively. Blood group O had the highest frequency in the studied population (39.4%) followed by blood groups B (29.1%), A (24.6%) and AB (6.9%). However, the differences in the frequencies of secretors and non-secretors with respect to A, B, AB and O blood groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Age and gender had no significant effects on the secretor status of ABH antigens in the saliva (p>0.05%). In conclusion, 82.3% of the studied population are ABH secretors and their secretion was not significantly influenced by age and gender.

Keywords: Evaluation, ABH antigens, saliva, Sokoto, Northern Nigeria