Racial difference between white and black Zimbabweans in the haemolytic activity of A, B, O antibodies

Abstract

Race is thought to be one of the factors determining the level ot ABO antibodies. The objective of this study was to compare the haemolytic activity of anti-A and anti-B in two racial groups. Black and White Zimbabweans, living under similar conditions. Scrum haemolytic activity was assessed by comparing spcctrophotometrically, released haemoglobin when known A1 and B red cells were incubated in equal volumes of subjects' scrum and water. Serum from Black subjectsshowed greater haemolytic activity of anti-A and anti-B than serum from White subjects. Within each racial group, anti-B showed greater haemolytic activity than anti-A. Racc may be an important factor in the haemolytic activity of ABO antibodies.