ABO Blood Group Phenotypes Research Articles

ABO Blood Type and Urinary Bladder Cancer: Phenotype, Genotype, Allelic Association with a Clinical or Histological Stage and Recurrence Rate.

Background Previous research on connection between the ABO blood group and bladder cancer has been based on determining the ABO phenotype. This specific research is extended to the molecular level, providing more information about particular ABO alleles. Aim To investigate the impact of the ABO blood group genotype or phenotype as a risk factor for urinary bladder cancer. Materials and Methods In the case-control study, we included 74 patients who underwent surgery for a urinary bladder tumor at the Urology Clinic, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, in 2021 and 2022. The control group comprised 142 asymptomatic and healthy blood donors. ABO genotyping to five basic alleles was done using a polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers. We compared ABO phenotypes, genotypes, and alleles between patients and the healthy controls and investigated their distribution according to the clinical and histological stage and recurrence rate. Results No statistically significant difference was found among the groups, nor for the observed disease stages in terms of the phenotype and genotype. At the allele level, the results show a significantly lower proportion of malignancy in O1 ( p < 0.001), A1 ( p < 0.001), and B ( p = 0.013), and a lower proportion of metastatic disease in A2 (0%, p = 0.024). We also found significantly higher proportions of high-grade tumors in patients with O1 (71.4%, p < 0.001), A1 (70.1%, p = 0.019), of nonmuscle invasive tumors in patients with O1 (55.1%, p < 0.001), O2 (100%, p = 0.045), and recurrent tumors in patients with O1 (70.2%, p < 0.001) and A1 (74.2%, p = 0.007) alleles. Conclusion We did not find an association between the ABO blood group genotype or phenotype as a genetic risk factor for urinary bladder cancer. However, an analysis at the allelic level revealed a statistically significant association between certain alleles of the ABO blood group system and urinary bladder tumors, clinical or histological stage, and recurrence rate, respectively.

Analysis of a Chinese pedigree with Bw subtype due to a novel variant of α-1,3-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase gene

To explore the serological characteristics and genetic variant in a Chinese pedigree with Bw subtype. A 32-year-old female proband who had undergone prenatal examination on December 10, 2020 at the 960th Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistics Support Force and five members from her pedigree were selected as the study subjects. Peripheral blood samples were collected and subjected to ABO blood group phenotyping with serological methods and ABO blood group genotyping with fluorescent PCR. Genetic testing and haplotype analysis were carried out by direct sequencing of the entire coding region of the ABO gene in the proband and cloned sequencing of exons 1-7. The blood type serology of the proband showed Bw, and her ABO blood type genotype determined by fluorescence PCR was B/O. The direct sequencing results showed that the proband had matched the ABO*O.01.01/ABO*B.01 genotype and carried a c.1A>G variant. Cloned sequencing has confirmed the c.1A>G variant to have occurred in the ABO*B.01 allele. Family analysis revealed that the mother of the proband had an O blood type, her husband had a B phenotype, and her three children had a normal B blood type. DNA sequencing showed that the two sons of the proband had a genotype of ABO*B.01 and c.1A>G/ABO*B.01. The daughter of the proband was ABO*O.01.01/ABO*B.01, whilst her mother was ABO*O.01.01/ABO *O.01.02. The novel c.1A>G variant sequence has been registered with the database with a number MZ076785 1. The novel c.1A>G variant of exon 1 of α- 1,3 galactose aminotransferase gene probably underlay the reduced expression of B antigen in this pedigree.

Distribution Characteristics of Rh Phenotype and Feasibility of Compatible Blood Transfusion in Pregnant and Postpartum Women

To analyze the distribution characteristics of Rh phenotype in pregnant and postpartum women in Chongqing area, and to explore the clinical significance of Rh phenotype in pregnant and postpartum women and the feasibility of Rh phenotype compatible blood transfusion. The ABO blood group and Rh phenotype of 65 161 pregnant and postpartum women were detected by microcolumn gel method, and 48 122 males in the same period were taken as controls. The data were analyzed by Chi-square test. There were 112 870 cases (99.64%) of RhD+ in 113 283 samples. In RhD+ cases, CCDee (48.39%) and CcDEe (32.88%) were the main phenotypes. The first case of D-- phenotype in Chongqing area was detected. 413 cases (0.36%) of RhD- were detected, with ccdee (52.78%) and Ccdee (33.41%) as the main phenotypes. Compared with RhD- group, RhD+ group showed statistically significant difference in Rh phenotype distribution (P < 0.01). Among 65 161 maternal samples, the positive rate of 5 antigens of Rh blood group from high to low was D > e > C > c > E, and there was no significant difference compared with male samples (P >0.05). There was no significant difference in the distribution of Rh phenotype between males and pregnant/postpartum women, as well as between pregnant/postpartum women with different ABO blood groups (P >0.05). In pregnant and postpartum women, there was no significant difference in distribution of Rh phenotype among the normal pregnancy population, the population with adverse pregnancy history, the population using human assisted reproductive technology (ART) and the population with infertility (P >0.05). There was no significant difference in the distribution of Rh phenotype between the 4 populations mentioned above and the inpatients in the local general Grade A hospitals and the blood donors (P >0.05). In RhD positive pregnant and postpartum women, the probability of finding compatible blood for CcDEe phenotype was 100%, the probability of finding compatible blood for CCDee, CcDee and CCDEe phenotypes was 45%-60%, the probability of finding compatible blood for ccDEE, ccDEe and CcDEE phenotypes was 5%-10%, and the probability of finding compatible blood for other phenotypes was lower than 0.5%. The supply of blood with CCDee and ccDEE phenotypes can meet the compatible transfusions requirements of 7 Rh phenotypes in more than 99% of patients. Rh phenotype detection should be carried out for pregnant and postpartum women, and it is feasible to carry out Rh phenotype-matched or compatible blood transfusion for pregnant and postpartum women who need blood transfusion.

Distribution of ABO, Rh, and MNS blood groups from students in Walailak University, Thailand: A descriptive cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe presence or absence of blood group antigens can lead to alloimmunization, causing hemolytic transfusion reactions and hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. The distribution of these antigens varies among different ethnic populations, making it essential to study their prevalence in specific regions. ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate ABO, Rh, and MNS blood group antigens, phenotypes, and allele frequencies among university students in Southern Thailand. Materials and methodsBlood samples were collected and typed for blood group antigens using serological tests. Antigen, phenotype, and allele frequencies were calculated based on the observed phenotypes. ResultsThe most common ABO blood group was O (37.29%), followed by B (35.98%), A (19.47%), and AB (7.26%). Allele frequencies for ABO system were found to be 0.6107 for ABO*O, 0.2453 for ABO*B, and 0.1427 for ABO*A. Rh blood group distribution revealed a high prevalence of the D antigen (99.01%), followed by e (96.37%), C (95.05%), c (39.27%), and E (29.37%). The allele frequencies for D and d were 0.9005 and 0.0995, respectively. The MNS system showed M and N antigen frequencies of 85.81% and 67.66%, respectively. The most common phenotype was M+N+ (53.47%), followed by M+N− (32.34%) and M−N+ (14.19%). Mia antigen was present in 10.56% of our population. ConclusionsThis study provides an understanding of blood group distribution and gene frequency in our young population, which is crucial for blood management in community transfusion. Additionally, this knowledge holds significant value for population genetics studies.

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of babA gene of Helicobacter pylori isolated from Indian patients with gastrointestinal diseases

IntroductionOuter membrane protein (OMP) of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) i.e., blood group antigen binding adhesin (babA) is responsible for the attachment of H. pylori in the gastric epithelium. Its adherence is causative for gastric pathology such as gastritis, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), or digestive tract disorders like erosive reflux disease (ERD) and (NERD) non-erosive reflux disease and together called Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). BabA manifests rapid and varied selection via substitution of amino acid in its Leb-carbohydrate binding domain (CBD) which enables better binding preferences for distinct human populations and ABO blood group phenotypes. The positive evolutionary selection of the pathogenic factor of this genetically diverse bacterium has enabled it to adapt to the host gastric environment. Analyzing the association of virulent genes (cagA, vacA) and babA will help us better understand bacteria’s pathogenicity. Method109 H. pylori strains from patients with distinct gastrointestinal diseases were genotyped using Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR) for cagA, vacA, and babA followed by Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. ResultIn the babA + ve genotype, a statistically significant association with p = 0.04 and < 0.0001 is seen in gastritis and ERD respectively. A significant association of genotype vacAs1m2 (p = 0.0002) was seen in gastritis, vacAs1m1 (p = 0.02) in NERD, vacAs1m1 (p < 0.0001) and vacAs1m2 (p = 0.002) in ERD. This relationship helps to detect gastritis or ERD where BabA gene can be used as an independent marker for detecting their presence. ConclusionThe appearance of variants within distinct disease categories is due to local genetic variation.

Bacterial Infection versus Viral Infection Preference of ABO Blood Group Phenotype Patients.

Several studies have established an association between the blood group type and susceptibility to infections. This study aimed to evaluate a correlation between the blood group type and the susceptibility to infection. A total of 558 patients were enrolled in this study who attended at the Althawra Hospital, Ibb City, from March to August 2018. Blood samples were analyzed for complete blood count and blood group. We observed a high frequency of infections affecting the digestive system (26.4%), while the least affected system was the urogenital system 5.9%. Patients with A blood group exhibit an increased probability to be infected by viruses than they do for bacteria (odds ratio [OR] = 1.430; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.005 to 2.035; P = 0.05 and OR = 0.098; 95% CI = 0.064 to 0.148; P < 0.0001, respectively). It was observed that blood group A individuals were more susceptible to infection with hepatitis B virus than were the other groups (P = 0.041; OR = 1.704, 95% CI = 1.053-2.773). The liklihood of O blood group patients experiencing urogenital infections was less than that of non-O blood group patients one third (OR = 0.353, 95% CI = 0.158-0.789; P = 0.014). This study corroborates previous findings that demonstrated that certain blood groups are more prone to infection by one agent than are patients with other blood groups.

Association of ABO blood group, Rh phenotype and MN blood group with susceptibility to COVID-19.

Previous studies have reported that the susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is related to ABO blood group, but the relationship with Rh phenotype and MN blood group is unknown. China had adopted a strict control policy on COVID-19 until December 5, 2022, when local communities were liberalized. Therefore, we aimed to explore the correlation between ABO blood group, Rh phenotype, MN blood group and susceptibility to COVID-19 based on the time sequence of infection during the pandemic. A total of 870 patients who were routinely hospitalized in Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital from March 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 were randomly selected to enroll in this study. Patients were divided into susceptible group and non-susceptible group, according to the time of their previous infection. The demographics and clinical information of the enrolled participants were collected from electronic medical records. The association of ABO blood group, Rh phenotype and MN blood group with susceptibility to COVID-19 was analyzed. A total of 650 cases (74.7%) had been infected with COVID-19, with 157 cases (18.0%) in the second week and 252 cases (29.0%) in the third week, reaching the peak of infection. Compared with the non-susceptible group, the susceptible group had no statistically significant differences in ABO blood group and Rh phenotype, but the proportion of N+ was higher (75.6% vs 68.9%, P = 0.030) and the proportion of MM was lower (24.4% vs 31.1%, P = 0.030). Consistent with this, ABO blood group and Rh phenotype were not significantly associated with susceptibility to COVID-19 (P>0.05), while N+ and MM were associated with susceptibility to COVID-19 (OR: 1.432, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.049, 1.954, P = 0.024; OR: 0.698, 95% CI: 0.512, 0.953, P = 0.024, respectively), after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, basic disease, and vaccination status in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Our study showed that ABO blood group and Rh phenotype may not be related to the susceptibility to COVID-19, but MN blood group may be associated with the susceptibility to COVID-19.

Distribution And Prevalence Of ABO And Rh Blood Group Phenotypes Among Voluntary Blood Donors In A Tertiary Care Hospital At Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India: A Retrospective Study

Distribution And Prevalence Of ABO And Rh Blood Group Phenotypes Among Voluntary Blood Donors In A Tertiary Care Hospital At Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India: A Retrospective Study

Exploring the Link: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Correlation Between Periodontal Health and ABO &amp; Rh Blood Group Phenotype in Intellectually Disabled Individuals of Dakshina Kannada District

Background and Aim Across the globe individuals with intellectual disabilities ID are frequently noted to exhibit inferior oral hygiene and periodontal health. Previous research has demonstrated a link between periodontal health and blood grouping among apparently healthy individuals with periodontitis patients. This study attempted to assess a relationship between periodontal health and blood grouping phenotypes among individuals with intellectual disabilities in Dakshina Kannada District.Methods In Dakshina Kannada district a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 548 intellectually disabled individuals enrolled in special needs institutions. Among them 115 individuals were identified as having Down syndrome while the remaining 433 individuals had other intellectual disabilities. During the survey oral hygiene indices such as Oral Hygiene Index Simplified OHI-S Gingival index GI and Periodontal Screening and Recording PSR index were measured and ABO blood group patterns were established through self-reports verified by medical records.Results Among 548 intellectually disabled individuals distribution of blood group was as follows 32.11 had blood group A 26.64 had blood group B 23.90 had blood group O and 17.33 had blood group AB. Results of our research indicated that Down syndrome individuals with blood group lsquoOrsquo 41.7 and Rh lsquopositiversquo 58.26 were more susceptible to periodontitis.Conclusion Among intellectually disabled individuals there exists a robust correlation between periodontal health and ABO blood group phenotypes.

ABO and Rh (D) blood group phenotype distribution pattern among blood donors at the Nekemte Blood Bank, Oromia, West Ethiopia: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

To determine the distribution of ABO and Rh (D) blood group phenotypes among blood donors. This retrospective cross-sectional study enrolled blood donors whose socio-demographic and blood group phenotype data were collected from blood bank donor records. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the number and percentage distribution of categorical variables. To determine if the distributions of the ABO and Rh phenotypes differed, a chi-square test was employed. Of 14,887 blood donors with a median age of 20 years (interquartile range = 18-30 years), 72.8% were males, and young donors (age range = 18-24 years) accounted for 61.7%. Group O (45.6%) was the most prevalent ABO blood phenotype, followed by A (29.5%), B (20.2%), and AB (4.7%). The dominant blood group was O positive (42.4%), followed by A positive (27.4%), B positive (18.9%), AB positive (4.3%), O negative (3.2%), A negative (2.1%), B negative (1.3%), and AB negative (0.4%). The overall Rh (D)-negative distribution rate was 7.0%. This study showed that blood group O was the most common ABO phenotype, followed by A, B, and AB. Overall, 93.0% of the donors were Rh (D)-positive. These findings may help guide blood transfusion programmes.

Frequency of ABH secretor status: a cross-sectional study in Lagos, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract The mucosa contains soluble antigens of the ABO blood group system. Secretor status as a trait has been linked to a variety of clinical diseases and is determined by the individual’s fucosyltransferase 2 (FUT2) allele. The distribution of secretor status in relation to ABO blood group phenotypes varies from region to region, with medicolegal significance. There is a dearth of information on the secretor status of the studied population. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the secretor status of the ABH in a Nigerian population. To achieve this, fresh saliva samples (~5 ml) were collected from 325 (181 males and 144 females) apparently healthy individuals in the urban city of Lagos. Secretor status was determined by haemagglutination inhibition test with the saliva samples of participants. Results showed that 85% of the participants were secretors and 15% were non-secretors with no statistically significant differences (p&gt;0.05) between male and female gender. The frequencies of the Secretor, Se and Non-secretor, se genes were 0.543 and 0.457, respectively while the frequencies of the SeSe, Sese, and sese genotypes were 0.294, 0.496, and 0.209, respectively. The participants’ ABO blood group distributions were 65.5% group O, 16.6% group A, 15.1% group B, and 2.8% group AB. The incidence of secretors across blood group was 89% in group O, 85% in A, 79% in B and 67% in AB. However, there were no statistically significant variations in secretor status and ABO blood group (p&gt;0.05). In conclusion, the study shows that there are more secretors than non-secretors, and the ability to secrete the ABH antigens are independent of ABO blood of individuals.

Phenotype, allele and genotype frequency distribution of ABO and Rh(D) blood group among blood donors attending regional blood transfusion centre in Delhi, India.

The ABO and Rh blood group phenotypes, alleles, and genotype frequencies have many biological and medical implications. The frequency differs broadly according to races, geographical borders and ethnicity, even within the same region. This study was designed to determine the frequency of ABO and Rh blood groups among blood donors attending the regional blood transfusion centre in Delhi. The gel card method was used to determine the ABO and Rh(D) blood groups of donors who donated blood between January 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022. The assumption of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was used to determine allele and genotype frequencies of blood donors. A total of 16,925 blood units were donated during the study period. Donors phenotype frequencies of ABO were as follows: 'A' (23.88%), 'B' (37.38%), 'AB' (9.97%) and 'O '(29.27%). Rh(D)+Ve (D) were (94.9%) and Rh(D)-Ve (d) were (5.01%), which follow an order of B > O > A > AB and Rh-D > d for Rh. Donors ABO and Rh (D) allele frequencies were IA-0.183, IB-0.277, IO-0.541 and ID-0.776, Id-0.224 respectively. Allele frequencies follow an order of IO > IB > IA and Rh- ID > Id. Donors ABO genotype frequencies were AA-0.0333, AO-0.198, BB-0.0768, BO-0.30, AB-0.101, OO-0.293 and Rh(D) genotype frequencies were DD-0.602, Dd-0.347, dd-0.0501. Genotype frequencies follow an order of BO > OO > AO > AB > BB > AA and DD > Dd > dd. Among our donors, which were mostly from northern India, the ABO and Rh(D) blood groups have the highest proportion of ABO-B and Rh(D)+Ve and the lowest proportion of ABO-AB and Rh(D)-Ve, with a stable order of B > O > A > AB and D > d for phenotype, IO > IB > IA and ID > Id for allele and BO > OO > AO > AB > BB > AA and DD > Dd > dd for genotype.

Association between ABO blood group and COVID-19-positive patients in institutional-based hospital, Coimbatore – A cross-sectional study

Objective: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread globally and caused 6.5 million death as of October 2022. Risk factors for COVID-19 morbidity and mortality include age, sex, smoking, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, respiratory disease, and diabetes mellitus. Association between ABO blood groups and number of other infections or disease severity following infections such as SARS-COV-1 and hepatitis B virus has been reported. Rh(D) phenotype (positive and negative Rh blood types) is associated with very few diseases compared to ABO blood group. Various articles have reported the association of ABO blood group and COVID-19. Our aim was to investigate if any association exists in between ABO blood group with Rh phenotype and COVID-19 infection in Coimbatore and with the result an awareness among the public should be created to hasten the preventive measure from further encounter of the infection and help the government in taking a proactive approach to fight COVID-19 in the area. Thus, we conducted a study to find out the association between ABO blood group and COVID-19-positive (SARS-COV-2) patients in institutional-based hospital – Coimbatore which was one of the most affected districts in Tamil Nadu. Materials and Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective, observational, and cross-sectional study conducted in a private institutional-based hospital in Coimbatore. The data were collected from around 437 patients’ medical records, who were tested COVID-19-positive between October 2020 and November 2021 whose blood grouping was available as part of investigation. Data were analyzed statistically to correlate the association of ABO blood group, Rh phenotype, and COVID-19 infection. Results: In 437 COVID-19-infected patients, the ABO blood group displayed a percentage distribution for A, B, AB, and O at 19% (83), 35% (153), 8.5% (37), and 37.5% (164), respectively and 409 (93.6%) were Rh +ve. Among the patients, blood group O 164 (37.5%), followed by blood group B153 (35%) is observed to be significantly associated with COVID-19 susceptibility, whereas blood group A83 (19%) and AB 37(8.5%) showed lower susceptibility for COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: This study did not show any statistically significant association of ABO blood group and Rh phenotype seen in relation to COVID-19 infection.

Changes in the frequency of ABO and Rh blood group phenotypes in Polish donors from Lower Silesia

Abstract The aim of this study was to explore temporal and spatial variability of the frequency of the ABO and Rhesus blood group phenotypes in Polish donors from Lower Silesia between 1946 and 1990. Data on 158,134 individuals (113,714 men and 44,420 women) were obtained from two databases containing information about blood donors from Lower Silesia. The rate and direction of changes in the frequency of the blood groups were evaluated with regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Significant differences in the frequencies were found for the analysed period. The largest differences were observed for A and O blood groups. A significant increase in the frequency of the A group and a decrease in the O group were noted. The incidence of the AB group in both sexes did not change significantly. However, an insignificant decreasing trend in the frequency of the AB group in men was observed. An opposite and significant trend for this blood type was found in women. For the B group, the increase was significant in both sexes but it was greater in men. A significant increase in the frequency of the Rh(+) factor was noted. These results suggest that there were minor differences in the frequencies of ABO and Rh blood groups between the counties. This study demonstrated microevolutionary changes, thereby contributing new information to the field. These findings can be useful for the management of blood banks and the interpretation of microevolutionary changes.

Blood Groups ABO and Rh System Among Paternity and Kinship Cases of Iraqi Medical Legal Directorate

ABO and Rh are the most important blood group systems with various distributions reported for different populations. Traditional ABO blood group and Rh serology is based on the immunoreactivity of antisera with the carbohydrate A, B and H antigens on Red Blood Cells (RBC). Due to its medical importance in relation to different diseases, pursuing a line of investigation on the ABO and Rh blood group systems has been of significance for years. It is well known that these blood group systems are of great importance in blood transfusion and organ transplantation. Furthermore, the susceptibility to several diseases has been associated with the ABO phenotype, but such correlation remains controversial. Progress in the molecular biology of the ABO system has recognized the molecular basis of the red blood cell antigens and has provided a genetic model for ABO polymorphism at the molecular level. The ABH antigens are not primary gene product, but they are the enzymatic reaction product of enzymes called glycosyltransferases. After the ABO system, the Rh (Rhesus) blood group system is regarded as the second most important blood group system, as some of the severe hemolytic transfusion reactions and most hemolytic disease of the fetus and new born (HDFN) cases are associated with antibodies to the Rh group antigens. Objectives: To determine ABO blood group and Rh factor phenotype antigens frequency, distribution, and document among paternity cases of Iraqi Medical Legal Directorate / Clinical Forensic Department / paternity and kinship division. Materials and Methods: The material and methods were used ABO and Rh kits for detection phenotype antigens of this blood types, the principle of test is one step immunological reaction. Total samples (1997) were referred to medical Legal Directorate (MLD). Out of the total participants there were 1815 (98.4%) of samples complete information for inclusion criteria. the sample were used for estimation of phenotypic distribution of ABO, Rh. ABO blood group serology was performed at MLD, Paternity and Kinship Division using commercially available monoclonal Anti-A, Anti-B, reagents according to the national blood bank standard operating procedures. The Method principle is based on antigen antibody reaction (agglutination) some tests were confirmed under microscope examination to see weak reaction. Results: The most common blood group was O (52.3%) and the least common was AB (3.18%).97.7% of the blood participants were Rh Positive and the rest were Rh Negative. Most participants were young adults, representing the age group of 19 – 29. Most participants were male (88.1%). Conclusion: Blood group O and Rh+ factor was dominant in both sexes, Up-to-date knowledge of the distribution of blood types in a local setting is critical to the functioning of any national health service. To date, there has been a lack of data in Iraqi population.

Prevalence of ABO and RhD blood group phenotypes in the Croatian population and in patients with severe COVID-19 in Croatia.

The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of ABO and RhD blood group phenotypes in the general population in the Republic of Croatia and among hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. Data on ABO and RhD blood groups of all blood donors in Croatia (who donated blood during the period 2015-2020) and patients and pregnant women tested at the Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine during the 2-year period, 2019-2020, were obtained from the e-Delphyn blood bank information system. A total of 614,673 results were analyzed in this group. The other group consisted of 780 COVID-19 patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19. Data are presented as total number and percentages and a comparison of proportions test was performed. The most frequent ABO phenotype in the general population is A (38%), followed by O (37%), B (18%) and AB (7%). RhD positive individuals accounted for 81% of the general population and RhD negative for the other 19%. Among COVID-19 patients, phenotype A was the most frequent (42%), followed by phenotypes O (32%), B (17%) and AB (9%). Thus blood group A was significantly more common among COVID-19 patients than among the general population, whereas blood group O was significantly less frequent. This study provides the first official results of the distribution of ABO and RhD blood group phenotypes in the general population in Croatia. Moreover, this study confirms other researchers' observations about the predominance of the A blood group phenotype among COVID-19 patients.

Relationship between ABO Blood Group Phenotypes and Some Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Undergraduate Students in Kano Nigeria

Background: Studies have linked ABO phenotypes to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs); however, data on the relationship between ABO phenotypes and CDV risk factors among healthy adults are lacking. Aim: To determine the relationship between ABO phenotypes and CVD risk factors among undergraduate students in Kano, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study recruited 150 participants. ABO phenotypes were determined using monoclonal antisera. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterolwere determined enzymatically, while low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) was calculated using the Friedewald equation. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were by standard protocols. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0; P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean age of the participants was 23.12 ± 2.97 (17–31) years. The frequency of ABO phenotypes among the participants was: O (39.3%), B (26.0%), A (23.3%), and AB (11.3%). Non-O phenotypes had significantly lower systolic blood pressure (P = 0.050), higher TC (P = 0.023), TG (P = 0.003), and LDL-c (P = 0.050) compared to O phenotypes. Of the non-O phenotypes, A had significantly higher TC compared to B (P = 0.004) and O (P = 0.001); higher TG compared to O (P = 0.001); higher LDL-c compared to B (P = 0.001), AB (P = 0.042), and O (P = 0.006); heavier compared to B (P = 0.012) and O (P = 0.033); and higher hip circumference compared to B (P = 0.022). Conclusion: Non-O phenotypes, especially A phenotypes, had significantly higher mean serum lipids compared to O. ABO phenotypes should be considered in CVD risk stratification.

Is the Development of Gestational Diabetes Associated With the ABO Blood Group/Rhesus Phenotype?

AimsThere are few published data on the putative association between the ABO blood group/rhesus (Rh) factor and the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Our aim was to explore the link between each one factor and GDM development.MethodsAll women having given birth at Lille University Medical Center (Lille, France) between August 1st, 2017, and February 28th, 2018, were tested for GDM, using the method recommended in the French national guidelines. The risk of GDM was assessed for each ABO blood group, each Rh phenotype and combinations thereof, using logistic regression models.Results1194 women had at least one GDM risk factor. The percentage of GDM varied with the ABO group (p=0.013). Relative to group O women, group AB women were more likely to develop GDM (OR = 2.50, 95% CI [1.43 to 4.36], p=0.001). Compared with the Rh-positive O group, only the Rh-positive AB group had an elevated risk of developing GDM (OR = 3.02, 95% CI [1.69 to 5.39], p < 0.001).ConclusionsOur results showed that Rh-positive group AB women have a greater risk of GDM. With a view to preventing GDM, at-risk individuals could be identified by considering the ABO blood group phenotype either as a single risk factor or in combination with other risk factors.

Evaluating the prevalence of Hepatitis E virus infection in a large cohort of European blood donors, 2015-2018.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is endemic in Europe. However, standardized methods for the surveillance of HEV viremia in the general population are lacking. This study aimed to compare the incidence of HEV among blood donors in two European countries, Germany and Portugal, during the period 2015‐2018. The seasonal distribution of HEV infection, as well as host risk factors including age, sex, and blood group phenotype were explored. A total of 191,236 donations from Germany and Portugal were tested for HEV RNA in plasma mini‐pools of up to 96 donations using an internally controlled reverse transcription real‐time PCR (RT‐PCR) assay. The 95% cut‐off of the assay was 15 International Units (IU)/mL (CI 10‐35 IU/mL) as determined by dilution of the WHO International Standard for HEV RNA. Blood type was determined by agglutination and pattern recognition using the Beckmann Coulter PK 7300 AB0‐ and Rhesus‐Assay. The overall positivity rate was 0.09% with significantly more infections observed in the German cohort (p < 0.0001). Infections peaked in the summer months, and investigation of risk factors revealed that incidence was significantly higher amongst males (p = 0.0002), but was not associated with ABO or Rh(D) blood group phenotypes. No significant relationships between risk factors and viral load were observed. Our findings confirm that HEV infections are highly prevalent in Europe, even amongst otherwise healthy blood donors. Increasing awareness of the seasonal spread and risk factors for HEV transmission is of great importance for individuals susceptible to more severe forms of the disease, such as immunocompromised patients.

Comparative Responses of Achilles Tendinopathy to Selected Physiotherapy Approaches and the Modulating Influence of ABO Blood Group Phenotype in Nigerian Footballers: a Randomized Control Study

Comparative Responses of Achilles Tendinopathy to Selected Physiotherapy Approaches and the Modulating Influence of ABO Blood Group Phenotype in Nigerian Footballers: a Randomized Control Study