Non-secretor status is associated with female acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis.

Abstract

To retrospectively analyse the secretor status in women with acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis, as non-secretors of histo-blood group antigens are reportedly at risk of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). The study included 245 women who had been diagnosed as having acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis in affiliated hospitals over the past 5 years. All women were sent antiseptic swabs, to collect saliva, and a questionnaire to survey their past UTI episodes and menstrual status. Responses with written informed consent were obtained from 106 women (median age 50.5 years, range 17-85). The secretor status was determined using the haemagglutination inhibition assay from the saliva on the swabs. Forty-four (41%) of the women were non-secretors, a significantly higher frequency than in the (control) Japanese population (217 of 960, 22.6%; P< 0.001). The incidence of non-secretors was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in premenopausal (26 of 46, 57%) than in postmenopausal women (18 of 60, 30%). These results suggest that non-secretor status is associated with a genetic susceptibility to acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis, especially in premenopausal women.