MALARIA PARASITAEMIA ASSOCIATED WITH ABO BLOOD GROUPINGS AND RHESUS FACTOR AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING SPECIALIST HOSPITAL BAUCHI, BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Malaria parasitaemia associated with ABO blood groupings and Rhesus factor associated with patients attending specialist hospital Bauchi was conducted using cross-sectional approach where 306 samples collected and both thick and thin blood film was prepared for the both male and female based on patients blood groups and Rhesus factor. The microscopic observation revealed that, out of 306 samples, 55% male is infected, while 45% females infected. Blood group A has 36.7% was highly significant than the other blood group types, while Blood group O 14.8% recorded the lowest prevalence. Out of the 306 examined, it was revealed that the 89.7% positive Rhesus factor were infected while 10.3% were negative Rhesus Factor. This study investigated the distribution of these blood group systems and assessed the association of malaria infection with the ABO blood groups among patients attending specialist hospital Bauchi. Blood specimens from venus of 306 patients were examined for malaria parasites using Field stains method. ABO and Rhesus blood group antigens tests were also performed using standard tile protocols. The prevalence of blood group A was highly significant than the other blood group types. There is no consensus association between malaria infection and ABO blood groups but the prevalence of higher malaria parasite density was significantly greater with blood group A (36.7%). In conclusion, blood group A was the most prevalent blood group in the study and Male with blood group A positive rhesus factor appeared to be more susceptible to higher level of malaria parasitemia. Males were more predisposed to P. falciparum infections than females. Apart from the young children and pregnant women, the government should include the old people (60 and above years) and males in the current control strategy for malaria in order to reduce malaria transmission. These individuals are considered to be the most susceptible. More awareness about blood group should be created among residents of Bauchi state as this would go a long way in reducing morbidity and mortality due to malaria and perhaps other blood diseases. Future work should consider the haemoglobin genotypes in addition to ABO blood grouping and Rhesus factor to reveal the exact picture of the association.