Blood types that increase the risk of coronavirus infection have been identified
Scientists have named blood groups that affect the high risk of contracting coronavirus and developing severe COVID-19. The research findings, published in the journal Blood Advances, are summarized in a press release on MedicalXpress.
In one study, experts compared 473 thousand people with COVID-19 with 2.2 million people in the general population. Among the patients, there were fewer people with blood group 0 (group I) and more people with blood types A (II), B (III), and AB (IV).
Another study involved 95 critically ill patients hospitalized in Canada. The presence of blood type A or AB increased the likelihood of complications that required intensive care and mechanical ventilation.
In addition, more patients with type A and AB blood required dialysis due to renal failure. Although patients with blood types A and AB did not generally stay in hospital longer than people with types O or B, they stayed in the intensive care unit longer on average, which may indicate a more severe form of COVID-19.
