A preliminary study has found correlations between blood type and the likelihood of being hospitalised with COVID -19, which has infected 25, 066 people worldwide, according to an AFP tally .

Researchers at the Southern University of Science and Technology , Shenzhen , China, conducted the study in collaboration with other Chinese institutions .

Led by Jiao Zhao , the study examined blood group distribution among 2 , 173 individuals admitted to hospitals with COVID -19 . The people each received care at one of three hospitals in Wuhan, China, or Shenzhen .

The researchers also compared the patients ’ blood group distributions to that of a group representative of the general population — totaling 3, 694 people — in Wuhan .

Data from the researchers showed that blood group A had a significantly higher risk for COVID - 19, compared with non -A blood groups, whereas blood group O had a significantly lower risk for the infectious disease compared with non -O blood groups.

According to Zhao , “people with blood group A have a significantly higher risk for acquiring COVID -19 , compared with non -A blood groups ; whereas blood group O has a significantly lower risk for the infection compared with non -O blood group.

Although, the study is yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal and other experts have not yet had a chance to assess the researchers’ methodology and findings, Head of Haematology and Blood Transfusion at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital , Idi - Araba, Prof. Sulaiman Akanmu , said , “ It’ s not impossible, such a thing may happen. ”

Speaking with PUNCH HealthWise , Prof. Akanmu said the study was new to him, adding that blood group type had been associated with varieties of disease states.

“It is known that a particular disease is more commonly found in a particular blood group type or that a blood group type is more protective of development of a particular disease , but that it is related to COVID -19 is new to me .

“If it is true, it will not be difficult to explain .”

Continuing, he said , “For example, if an agent is going to attach to a cell, then that particular cell must have on its surface membrane a receptor that the infectious agents could attach to .

https://punchng.com/people-with-type-a-blood-more-at-risk-of-covid-19-study/

lalasticlala