Blood groups in the susceptibility and severity of COVID-19

Authors

Keywords:

blood groups, covid19, coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, severe.

Abstract

Introduction: Since the discovery of the ABO Blood Group System by Karl Landstainer in 1900, interest has remained in the potential role in disease. Differences in the expression of a blood group antigen can increase or decrease the host's susceptibility to different infections, due to its diverse functions in cell biology.

Objective: To identify the relationships of blood groups in susceptibility to infection, risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19 described in the literature.

Methods: A literature review in English and Spanish was carried out, through the PubMed website and the academic search engine Google, of published articles. The SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19/ BLOOD GROUPS/CORONAVIRUS/SEVERE descriptors were used for the search. An analysis, summary and discussion of the revised bibliography were made.

Analysis and synthesis of information: The epidemiological evidences of more than 30 studies at the international level, even with a wide diversity of designs and inclusion criteria, mostly agree on a lower risk of illness and aggravation of individuals in group O and a higher relative risk of non-groups O, especially those of group A. Various theories that explain the possible relationships of blood group systems, especially ABO, in the pathogenesis of COVID 19.

Conclusions: The epidemiological association between the susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 and the ABO blood group system indicates a pathogenic and clinical course that is probably useful for medical practice.

Author Biography

Yamila Adams Villalón, Instituto de Hematología e Inmunología

Médico Especialista en MGI e Inmunología, Master en Bioquímica. Profesor auxiliar, Investigadora agregada. Laboratorio nacional de referencia para Inmunohematología. Instituto de Hematología e Inmunología. La Habana, Cuba.

 

Published

2021-11-28

How to Cite

1.
Adams Villalón Y. Blood groups in the susceptibility and severity of COVID-19. Rev Cubana Hematol Inmunol Hemoter [Internet]. 2021 Nov. 28 [cited 2025 Jan. 22];37. Available from: https://revhematologia.sld.cu/index.php/hih/article/view/1469

Issue

Section

Artículos de Revisión