Part 6: The P blood group system: Genetic adaptation to helminthic zoonoses

Abstract

This paper suggests that the P2 allele of the P blood group system serves as an adaptation to a hypothesized Generalized Helminthic Antigenic Complex shared by many helminthic zoonoses. Since helminthic zoonoses are largely dependent on subsistence practices requiring animal contact, higher P2 frequencies should be observed where there is heavy dependence on such practices. Subsistence data and P2 gene frequencies for 187 groups are analyzed. Significant correlations between degree of dependence on animal‐oriented subsistence practices and P2 frequencies support the hypothesis. Studies of this type may demonstrate the links between culture, infectious diseases, and genetic traits.