Association of blood groups with the clinical presentation of COVID-19 infection.

Yara Shamikh,Maha Abdelsalam,Wael Hassan,Sagy Elzalabany,Mostafa Elnakib,Azza Salamony,Salem Reda,Khaled Amer

doi:10.21608/mid.2021.59111.1111

Abstract

Background: Blood groups' antigens, represent polymorphic traits inherited among populations, their expression differences, can increase or decrease the host susceptibility to infections. We aimed here to correlate the relation between the different blood groups and hosts' susceptibility towards COVID-19 infection. Methods: 355 samples, were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 and blood groups typing. The candidates were then divided according to their results into; 210 positive-PCR (viral persistent, clearance and ICU admitted), and 145 negative-PCR contacts and then this results were compared. Results: The highest frequency in control and viral clearance group was O-phenotype, followed by A-phenotype and the least was AB-phenotype. The highest frequency in the viral persistent group, was A-group, showed followed by B-group and the least was O-group. Lastly in ICU group, A-group was the highest frequency, followed by O-group and the least was B-group. Using Chi-square method, a statistically significant result was observed (p-value= 0.034). Conclusions: The blood group-O was the protective phenotype, controversy to the O-group, A-group was the risky phenotype, also AB-group was risky, as it showed the lowest frequency in both control and viral clearance group. Interestingly, the B-group was the least group susceptible to have bad prognosis and be admitted to the ICU. This can be a safety guideline for classifying healthcare workers, according to their ABO, to work with suspected cases with COVID-19 and also may help in developing specific anti- histo-blood group antibodies as an effective co-therapy for COVID-19.

Highlights

Coronavirus disease-2019; COVID-19, is a syndrome of severe respiratory failure, caused by a new strain of coronavirus, known as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2; SARS-CoV-2
It was suggested that the virus spike-protein, bind to the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2; ACE-2; a receptor located at multiple sites such as the CNS, respiratory system, heart, pancreas, liver and kidney
The 113 viral persistent group was further subdivided into 2 groups; 76 patients were admitted to ICU, and 37 patients were not admitted to the ICU, with male to female ratio of 8: 5. The control group included 145 individual (64 males and 81 females) with male to female ratio 4:5

Summary

Introduction

Coronavirus disease-2019; COVID-19, is a syndrome of severe respiratory failure, caused by a new strain of coronavirus, known as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2; SARS-CoV-2. Results: The highest frequency in control and viral clearance group was O-phenotype, followed by Aphenotype and the least was AB-phenotype. This can be a safety guideline for classifying healthcare workers, according to their ABO, to work with suspected cases with COVID-19 and may help in developing specific anti- histo-blood group antibodies as an effective co-therapy for COVID-19

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion