Abstract
Background: Blood group antigens are present on the red blood cell surface. O, A, and B are the major blood groups. A, B, AB, and A1 are the antigens. An ample amount of research supports the close association of blood groups with diseases. A new school of thought and finding seems to be indicating that certain blood groups are more susceptible to the COVID-19 infection in comparison to others. Current evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 positive cases are more prevalent in individuals with blood group A as compared to those with blood group O. This finding, however, was only relevant for the Rh (+ve) positive blood types. Genetic association reveals that the ABO blood group locus and a chromosome 3 gene cluster are associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome in coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) respiratory failure patents. This was found in an Italian- Spanish genome-wide association analysis. Various associations between the patients' blood groups when comparing the data with that of physiologically healthy individuals from the same geographical region helped to get a clear comparative picture. Associations that were cross-replicating in nature were determined at chromosome 3p21.31 and chromosome 9q34. The association at chromosome 9q34 was identified at the ABO blood group locus. The difference in the susceptibility could be correlated to the circulating anti‐A antibodies, which inhibit or interfere with the virus-cell adhesion process.
 Conclusion: It is evident that the research conducted to date is supportive and does suggest that humans of the Blood group O are less likely to be infected in the COVID-19 pandemic as when compared to other blood groups. The SARS-CoV-2 situation is evolving rapidly, discoveries and anomalies are being reported daily. Therefore, it is advised that more definitive and consolidatory research is to be conducted to further elucidate the underlying mechanism of action for the protection in blood group O.
Highlights
Blood group antigens are present on the red blood cell surface
Findings of Zietz et al are further supported by Ellinghaus et al on the ABO blood group locus and a chromosome 3 gene cluster associated with SARS-CoV-2 respiratory failure in an Italian-Spanish genome-wide association analysis
It was shown that blood group A positive individuals were at an increased risk to the infection. [24, 26] Ellinghaus et al reported that two loci have a strong association with Covid-19–induced respiratory failure with genome-wide significance: the rs11385942 insertion-deletion GA or G variant at locus 3p21.31 (OR for the GA allele, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.48-2.11; P=1.15×10−10) and the rs657152 A or C SNP at locus 9q34.2 (OR for the A allele, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.20-1.47; P=4.95×10−8) [26]
Summary
Blood group antigens are present on the red blood cell surface. O, A, and B are the major blood groups. The understanding of blood groups has evolved to include hazards linked to transfusion reactions and specific RBC surface antigen diseases. Their clinical significance is well known, the physiological role of antigens in the ABO blood group remains a mystery.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
