People with type A blood more at risk of COVID-19 —Study

People with type A blood more at risk of COVID-19 —Study
Published March 29, 2020
Lara Adejoro
A preliminary study has found correlations between blood type and the likelihood of being hospitalised with COVID - 19 , which has killed over 30 ,00 people worldwide , according to an AFP tally.
Researchers at the Southern University of Science and Technology , Shenzhen , China , conducted the study in collaboration with other Chinese institutions .
Led by Jiao Zhao , the study examined blood group distribution among 2 ,173 individuals admitted to hospitals with COVID - 19 . The people each received care at one of three hospitals in Wuhan , China , or Shenzhen .
The researchers also compared the patients ’ blood group distributions to that of a group representative of the general population — totaling 3 ,694 people — in Wuhan .
Data from the researchers showed that blood group A had a significantly higher risk for COVID -19 , compared with non -A blood groups, whereas blood group O had a significantly lower risk for the infectious disease compared with non -O blood groups.
According to Zhao , “ people with blood group A have a significantly higher risk for acquiring COVID -19 , compared with non -A blood groups; whereas blood group O has a significantly lower risk for the infection , compared with non -O blood groups.”
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Although , the study is yet to be published in a peer - reviewed journal and other experts have not yet had a chance to assess the researchers ’ methodology and findings , Head of Haematology and Blood Transfusion at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital , Idi -Araba , Prof. Sulaiman Akanmu , said , “ It ’s not impossible , such a thing may happen .”
Speaking with PUNCH HealthWise , Prof. Akanmu said the study was new to him , adding that blood group type had been associated with varieties of disease states.
“ It is known that a particular disease is more commonly found in a particular blood group type or that a blood group type is more protective of development of a particular disease , but that it is related to COVID - 19 is new to me .
“ If it is true , it will not be difficult to explain. ”
Continuing , he said, “ For example , if an agent is going to attach to a cell , then that particular cell must have on its surface membrane a receptor that the infectious agents could attach to.