SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Blood Group Associations in the United Arab Emirates
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BACKGROUND: The association between ABO blood groups and COVID-19 has been investigated globally, but there is heterogeneity in the results, with a possible trend towards susceptibility of blood group A. However, such studies are limited in our region. This retrospective study aimed to explore the potential association between COVID-19 and ABO blood groups in our population. Specifically, we investigated the role of blood groups and rhesus types in susceptibility to COVID-19 and their impact on disease severity. METHODS: We conducted a correlation study by analyzing the blood group data of 308 COVID-19-positive patients. The distribution of blood groups in our population was compared to that reported in 500 blood donors from the Al Ain area in the United Arab Emirates. RESULTS: Our findings revealed a higher susceptibility to COVID-19 among individuals with blood group B. However, there was no significant association between blood group B and disease severity or mortality. Additionally, rhesus type was not found to be involved in susceptibility to the disease or its severity. CONCLUSION: In our population, blood group B showed a higher susceptibility to COVID-19, although it did not correlate with disease severity or mortality. These findings contribute to understanding the association between ABO blood groups and COVID-19 in our region and emphasize the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and implications for disease prevention and management.