Exploring the relationship between ABO and Rh blood groups and susceptibility to COVID-19 infection

Abstract

The rapid global spread of the novel coronavirus SARS CoV-2 has strained the existing healthcare and tested our resources. Many studies have found that the ABO blood group plays an important role in various human diseases, such as cardiovascular, oncological, and some infectious and non-infectious diseases. The present study was conducted to study the association of ABO and Rh blood groups with COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. This study was conducted on 209 COVID-19-confirmed patients admitted for their management. Cases were categorized as mild, moderate and severe as per the protocol. The ABO/Rh blood groups of these patients were determined by the gel card method. A total of 209 COVID positive patients were included in this present study. Most of the patients susceptible to COVID belonged to B positive blood group (33.01%) followed by O positive (32.06%). The severity of COVID-19 infection was most common in patients with O positive blood group (37.4%). COVID-19 infection was more common in males and more prevalent in B and O-positive blood groups.