Association of the ABO blood group with SARS-CoV-2 infection in a community with low infection rate

Background and objectives Reports on the association of the ABO phenotypes with infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus have mostly come from countries with high infection rates. This study examined the possible association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the ABO phenotype in Black Africa. Materials and methods This report is from a single centre where both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients were quarantined. At the time of this report, Oyo State, Nigeria had carried out 15 733 tests of which 3119 were positive for the virus with 1952 recoveries and 37 deaths. The ABO distribution of patients was compared with that of a blood donor population. Results Of the 302 participants, 297 (98%) had their blood group determined, asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals were 123 (40 center dot 7%) and 179 (59 center dot 3%) respectively. Blood group O was significantly less represented among the patients (P < 0 center dot 01) while blood groups B and AB were significantly more represented (P < 0 center dot 01, P = 0 center dot 03 respectively). Patients with anti-B (groups A and O) were significantly less represented than those without anti-B (B and/or AB): B and AB (P < 0 center dot 001), B (P = 0 center dot 002), AB (P = 0 center dot 01). There was no difference in the blood group distribution of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (chi(2) (3, N = 302) = 2 center dot 29; P = 0 center dot 51), but symptomatic patients with anti-A (groups B and O) were more represented than asymptomatic patients with anti-A (chi(2) 4 center dot 89; P = 0 center dot 03). Conclusion The higher prevalence of blood group O and more potent beta haemolysins (anti-B antibodies) are likely reasons for the lower infectivity by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and severity of COVID-19 disease in the community.

Automated summary

The study in Black Africa found that blood group O was less represented among SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, while blood groups B and AB were more represented. Individuals with anti-B antibodies (groups A and O) were significantly less represented among the patients, indicating a lower infectivity and severity of COVID-19.