Type O Blood Linked to Higher COVID-19 Risk: Study
American researchers have uncovered why individuals with type O blood face a higher risk of COVID-19 infection. Published in Blood Advances, the study reveals that the SARS-CoV-2 virus shows a strong preference for binding to type O blood antigens on respiratory cells. The study, led by American scientists, found that the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 has a marked preference for attaching to antigens present in type O blood. This binding preference is similar to that observed in the 2002-2003 SARS outbreak caused by the SARS-CoV virus. Blood type is an inherited trait and cannot be altered, making it a risk factor that cannot be mitigated. The study's authors hope further research will help understand the connection between blood type and COVID-19 susceptibility and symptoms better. Previous research has also shown that COVID-19 patients who lost their sense of smell produced more antibodies. The discovery that SARS-CoV-2 prefers type O blood provides valuable insights into COVID-19 infection risk. Further research is needed to understand the full implications of this finding and how it may influence public health strategies. Meanwhile, individuals should continue to follow established safety guidelines to protect themselves and others.
