CLEVELAND, Ohio — Recent genetic studies suggest that people with certain blood types may be more likely to develop a severe form of COVID-19.
A genetic study of 1,610 COVID-19 patients in Italy and Spain suggested that having type A blood resulted in a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to press reports. These preliminary findings have not yet been peer-reviewed by other scientists.
Other studies published earlier this year came to similar conclusions, including reports from a New York hospital, and a peer-reviewed study from Wuhan.
This research could lead to the development of a DNA test to identify patients who will become the sickest, or help drug developers find new treatments for COVID-19, according to a report in The New York Times.
“It’s very interesting, but there’s more we need to learn,” Dr. Erin Goodhue, executive medical director of direct patient care for the American Red Cross, said about the genetic studies.
Much more research is needed before any possible links between COVID-19 and blood type is fully understood, Goodhue said.
The reasons why blood types might affect COVID-19 are unknown, The New York Times said. Genetic variations may influence whether, in some people, the coronavirus triggers an overreaction of the immune system, leading to massive inflammation and lung damage.
Announcements about these studies have raised questions about the science behind blood typing. Here are answers from Goodhue, the Red Cross, Healthline and WebMD.
What is blood type?
Blood types are determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens, which are proteins, fats and sugars that sit on red blood cells. Blood type is inherited based on the blood types of your parents.
There are four major blood groups determined by the presence or absence of two antigens – A and B – on the surface of red blood cells. In addition to the A and B antigens, there is a protein called the Rh factor, which can be either present or absent.
Why can’t a person with type A blood receive a transfusion of type B blood?
Antigens can trigger an immune response if they are foreign to the body. People with type A blood make strong antibodies against type B blood, and visa versa. There are no antibodies against type 0 blood. Safe blood transfusions depend on careful blood typing and cross-matching.
How many different blood types are there?
There are eight blood types:
A positive or A negative
B positive or B negative
AB positive or AB negative
O positive or O negative
What is the most common blood type?
O positive is the most common blood type in the United States (37%), followed closely by A positive (35.7%), according to the Stanford School of Medicine Blood Center.
AB negative (.6%) and B negative (1.5%) are the two least common blood types among Americans.
What is a universal blood donor?
Universal red blood cell donors are those with an O negative blood type because their blood can is usable in transfusions in patients with any blood type. It is used for emergency transfusions and is usually in short supply and high demand by hospitals.
Universal plasma donors have type AB blood. Plasma is the clear, liquid portion of blood that remains after red and white blood cells, platelets and other cellular components are removed.
Rh-negative blood is given to Rh-negative patients, and Rh-positive or Rh-negative blood may be given to Rh-positive patients.
How can I find out my blood type?
Get a blood test at your physician’s office, or register to donate blood. At-home blood type tests aren’t always accurate.
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