key: cord-0899676-xx2d1s41
authors: Li, Juyi; Wang, Xiufang; Chen, Jian; Cai, Yi; Deng, Aiping; Yang, Ming
title: Association between ABO blood groups and risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 pneumonia
date: 2020-05-26
journal: Br J Haematol
DOI: 10.1111/bjh.16797
sha: 0c511b038d99327b33d8db5305ff69ecd2fe764e
doc_id: 899676
cord_uid: xx2d1s41

In December, 2019, a cluster of acute respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), occurred in Wuhan, China.1,2 Epidemiological, clinical characteristics, risk factors for mortality of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, and risk factors in the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 included age and chronic disease have been reported.

also found that A (42Á5 % vs. 32Á2 %, P = 0Á021) and O (23Á0 % vs. 33Á8 %, P = 0Á016) distribution of blood groups in male patients was consistent with all the above patients. In all chronic diseases, we found that the proportion of hypertension (41Á7 % vs. 32Á2 %, P = 0Á031) and hepatitis (85Á7 % vs. 32Á2 %, P < 0Á01) in blood group A was much higher than that in the control group; however, there is currently no literature supporting that hypertension and hepatitis increase the risk of infection of SARS-CoV-2. In dead patients, we found no differences between blood types. Finally, we integrated the data of the three hospitals in Wuhan for analysis (Table II) . 7 We still find that the proportion of blood group A in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (38Á0 % vs. 32Á2 %, P < 0Á001), while the proportion of blood group O in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients was significantly lower than in healthy controls (25Á7 % vs. 33Á8 %, P < 0Á001). The distribution ratio of blood type A and O between various ages and genders was almost consistent with the trend of all patients.

In this study, we demonstrated that blood group A patients were at higher risk of hospitalization following SARS-CoV-2 infection, while blood group O patients had lower risk, which suggested that the ABO blood type could be used as a biomarker to predict the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Coincidentally, previous studies found that ABO blood type distribution also had significant differences in other viral infections. Chen et al. reported that blood group O individuals were less likely to become infected by SARS coronavirus, 9 Batool et al. found that blood group O might have some influence in protecting against blood-transmitted infection, and people having blood group A were more prone to contract hepatitis B and HIV. 10 Jing et al. found that blood group B was associated with a lower risk of HBV infection. 11 Guillon et al. reported that the S protein/angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-dependent adhesion of these cells to an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expressing cell line was specifically inhibited by human natural anti-A antibodies, which might block the interaction between the virus and its receptor. 12 This could explain why blood group A is susceptible, while blood group O is not. However, there may be other factors that need further study.

In summary, based on our research, and confirmed by reported data, people with blood group A had a significantly higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, whereas blood group O correspondence 

had a significantly lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. People with blood type A should strengthen protection to reduce the risk of infection; however, people with blood type O should not take the virus lightly, and must still take precautions to avoid increasing the risk of infection. The underlying molecular mechanism of our findings will need further study.

This study was supported by the Health and Family Planning Commission of Wuhan City (WX18M02). 

A novel coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China

Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective cohort study

Clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 in China

Clinical characteristics of 138 hospitalized patients with 2019 novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia in Wuhan

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 99 cases of 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan, China: a descriptive study

Are patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus at increased risk for COVID-19 infection?

Relationship between the ABO Blood Group and the COVID-19 Susceptibility. medRxiv preprint

Radiological findings from 81 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in Wuhan, China: a descriptive study

ABO blood group and susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome

Association Of Abo And Rh Blood Group Types To Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hiv And Syphilis Infection, A Five Year' Experience In Healthy Blood Donors In A Tertiary Care Hospital

ABO blood groups and hepatitis B virus infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Inhibition of the interaction between the SARS-CoV spike protein and its cellular receptor by anti-histo-blood group antibodies

Keywords: ABO blood groups, infection, markers, pneumonia, SARS-CoV-2

No reports.