Eduardo Muñiz-Diaz1, Jaume Llopis2, Rafael Parra3, Imma Roig4, Gonzalo Ferrer5, Joan Grifols6, Anna Millán7, Gabriela Ene8, Laia Ramiro9, Laura Maglio10, Nadia García11, Asunción Pinacho12, Anny Jaramillo13, Agustí Peró14, Gonzalo Artaza15, Roser Vallés16, Silvia Sauleda16, LLuís Puig16, Enric Contreras16. 1. Immunohematology Laboratory, Banc de Sang i Teixits (BST), Barcelona. 2. Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona. 3. BST-Vall d'Hebrón, Hospital Vall d'Hebrón, Barcelona. 4. Hospital Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Clínica Quirón, Barcelona. 5. BST-Sant Pau, Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona. 6. BST-Badalona, Hospital Germans Tries, Barcelona. 7. BST-Girona, Hospital Josep Trueta, Girona. 8. BST-Hospital del Mar, Barcelona. 9. BST-Tarragona, Hospital Joan XXIII, Tarragona. 10. BST-Manresa, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Manresa. 11. BST-Bellvitge, Hospital de Bellvitge, Barcelona. 12. BST-Lleida, Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, Lleida. 13. BST-Terrassa, Mutua de Terrassa, Terrassa. 14. BST-Reus, Hospital Sant Joan de Reus, Reus. 15. Hospital General de Catalunya, Barcelona. 16. BST-Barcelona, Central Services, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several articles reported the existence of an association between ABO blood groups and COVID-19 susceptibility. Group A and group O individuals showed a higher and lower risk, respectively, of becoming infected. No association was observed between ABO groups and mortality. To verify this association, we performed a retrospective study of two cohorts of patients with different demographic and clinical characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 854 regular blood donors were recruited for convalescent plasma donation after recovering from a mild COVID-19 infection, and a group of 965 patients more severely affected who were transfused during hospitalisation were also included. We also investigated the potential role of the different risk factors on patient outcome and death. To eliminate the confounding effect of risk factors on mortality, a propensity score analysis was performed. RESULTS: Blood group A and blood group O COVID-19 blood donors showed a higher and lower risk, respectively, for acquiring COVID-19. In contrast, this association was not found in the group of patients transfused during hospitalisation, probably due to the great differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between the two groups. Regarding severity, age was one of the most significant risk factors. ABO blood groups were also seen to represent important risk factors for COVID-19 severity and mortality. Mortality risk in group A individuals was significantly higher than in group O individuals (OR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.22-2.51). DISCUSSION: The association between the ABO blood groups and the susceptibility to acquire COVID-19 infection was confirmed in the group of blood donors. ABO blood groups were also associated to COVID-19 severity and mortality in the group of patients transfused during hospitalisation. Therefore, blood groups A and O are two important factors to be considered when evaluating the prognosis of patients with COVID-19.
BACKGROUND: Several articles reported the existence of an association between ABO blood groups and COVID-19 susceptibility. Group A and group O individuals showed a higher and lower risk, respectively, of becoming infected. No association was observed between ABO groups and mortality. To verify this association, we performed a retrospective study of two cohorts of patients with different demographic and clinical characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 854 regular blood donors were recruited for convalescent plasma donation after recovering from a mild COVID-19infection, and a group of 965 patients more severely affected who were transfused during hospitalisation were also included. We also investigated the potential role of the different risk factors on patient outcome and death. To eliminate the confounding effect of risk factors on mortality, a propensity score analysis was performed. RESULTS: Blood group A and blood group O COVID-19 blood donors showed a higher and lower risk, respectively, for acquiring COVID-19. In contrast, this association was not found in the group of patients transfused during hospitalisation, probably due to the great differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between the two groups. Regarding severity, age was one of the most significant risk factors. ABO blood groups were also seen to represent important risk factors for COVID-19 severity and mortality. Mortality risk in group A individuals was significantly higher than in group O individuals (OR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.22-2.51). DISCUSSION: The association between the ABO blood groups and the susceptibility to acquire COVID-19infection was confirmed in the group of blood donors. ABO blood groups were also associated to COVID-19 severity and mortality in the group of patients transfused during hospitalisation. Therefore, blood groups A and O are two important factors to be considered when evaluating the prognosis of patients with COVID-19.
Authors: Chelsea Hayes; Wesley Rubenstein; David Gibb; Ellen Klapper; Julie Tanaka; Samuel Pepkowitz Journal: Transfusion Date: 2021-05-27 Impact factor: 3.337
Authors: Fanny Pojero; Giuseppina Candore; Calogero Caruso; Danilo Di Bona; David A Groneberg; Mattia E Ligotti; Giulia Accardi; Anna Aiello Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2021-03-05 Impact factor: 5.923