Are some blood types particularly susceptible to coronavirus? Research conducted in both Germany and Norway has examined blood groups for the risk of a severe course of the disease and found large differences in susceptibility to coronavirus.
It has long been suspected that genetic factors could play a role in immune defense against corona. As early as March, Chinese scientists were concerned with the influence that a person’s blood group could have on susceptibility to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. A recent study by German and Norwegian scientists has now confirmed the relationship between blood groups and the risk of coronavirus infection.
Corona Infection: Blood type as an influencing factor?
The research team evaluated more than 1,600 blood samples from Covid-19 patients with severe history in Spain and Italy. The genetic characteristics of the samples were compared with those of healthy blood donors.
Relationship between Blood types and COVID-19 risk
As a result of the investigation, it was found that the people with blood group A were more susceptible to the coronavirus. They had a significantly higher risk of a particularly severe course of the disease. However, people with blood type O, were better protected from the virus. The B blood groups were in the middle. Chinese researchers had also noticed in earlier examinations that an above-average number of Covid-19 patients had blood group A.
Study result not yet scientifically confirmed
Do people with blood group A now have to worry more about being infected with the coronavirus? In their pre-publication of the study, the researchers point out that there has not yet been a specialist review by experts. The study is therefore in the preprint stage and currently shows only one trend. The researchers also pointed out the demand for a larger data set so that they can provide a better and conclusive analysis of the blood group susceptibility of coronavirus.