In addition, further research will also be necessary to elucidate whether inter-individual variations in ABO(H) expression on platelets and/or VWF (particularly HXP and LXP) impact upon risk for cardiovascular disease (e.g. bleeding, thrombosis, TTP)8,43, or indeed susceptibility to specific types of sepsis. The gene discussed is ABO; the disease is thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.