Article Text
Articles
A `New' Saliva Substance, Probably Inherited, and Serologically Independent of ABH, Lewis, and Sda Blood Group Substances
Abstract
The presence of a `new' inherited substance has been detected in Caucasian, Bantu, and Chinese saliva samples, meconium, and gastric juice using the haemagglutinins of Clostridium botulinum, types C and D. It is serologically independent of ABH, Lewis, and Sda secretor status; at present it does not appear to be related to blood group systems and it is absent from the saliva of 7·14% of the Caucasian population. The structure of the substance may be related in some way to human gangliosides.