The association between ABO blood group and SARS-CoV-2 infection: a meta-analysis

Abstract

At present, existing evidence about the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and ABO blood group polymorphism is preliminary and controversial. In this meta-analysis we investigate this association and determine SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals odds of having a specific blood group compared to controls. We performed a systematic search on MEDLINE and LitCovid databases for studies published through July 12, 2020. 7 studies met inclusion criteria for meta-analysis, including a total of 13 subgroups of populations (7524 SARS-CoV-2 positive cases and 2962160 controls). We analysed the odds of having each blood group among SARS-CoV-2 positive patients compared with controls. Random-effects models were used to obtain the overall pooled odds ratio (OR). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed in order to explore the source of heterogeneity and results consistency. The results of our meta-analysis indicate that SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals are more likely to have blood group A (pooled OR 1.21; 95%CI: 1.08-1.37) and less likely to have blood group O (pooled OR 0.76, 95%CI: 0.66-0.87). Further studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms at the basis of this association, which may affect the kinetics of the pandemic according to the blood group distribution within the population.

The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies among asymptomatic blood donors in Saudi Arabia

“…A relationship appears to exist between an individual’s ABO blood type and the possibility of contracting a SARS-CoV-2 infection following exposure. Type A blood donors showed the highest frequency of anti–SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, which agreed with the results of a recent meta-analysis showing that SARS-CoV-2–positive individuals were more likely to have type A blood than the other blood types ( Golinelli et al, 2020 ). Another study performed by Guillon et al reported that a monoclonal anti–A antibody or a natural plasma-derived anti–A antibody was able to definitely inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 S protein/ACE2-dependent adhesion to ACE2-expressing cell lines ( Guillon et al, 2008 ).…”

“…Another study performed by Guillon et al reported that a monoclonal anti–A antibody or a natural plasma-derived anti–A antibody was able to definitely inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 S protein/ACE2-dependent adhesion to ACE2-expressing cell lines ( Guillon et al, 2008 ). Consequently, the ABO polymorphism might have considerable impact on SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility, linking a number of infected individuals and increasing the relevance of kinetic studies performed during the SARS outbreak in 2002 to 2003 ( Golinelli et al, 2020 ).…”

Precision Medicine and Public Health: New Challenges for Effective and Sustainable Health

“…There is growing evidence that COVID-19 occurs more in males [ 153 , 154 ], the elderly, and non-O blood type individuals [ 155 , 156 ]. The inflammatory responses and cytokine storm induced by SARS-CoV-2 are extremely variable [ 157 ], and prognosis is conditioned by the host response more than by the infection, since pre-existing comorbidities such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and immunosuppression strongly contribute to fatal outcomes [ 158 , 159 , 160 , 161 , 162 ].…”

Lack of cross-reactivity between anti-A IgG isoagglutinins and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies

“…Also the ABO blood group-related susceptibility to various types of viral infections, including HIV, hepatitis B, dengue and influenza viruses, has been consistently reported by several investigators over the last 20 years [5]. This issue has recently gained a renewed interest thanks to the first observations on the association between ABO blood type and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from China, where the infection began and quickly spread around the world [6]. In particular, it has been hypothesized that individuals belonging to O blood type are less susceptible to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection than those belonging to non-O blood groups or that have a milder disease [7].…”