Susceptibility of blood group ABO and Rh for COVID-19

Background: The ABO and Rh blood group systems are part of the innate immune system and it has been shown that individuals with different ABO and Rh blood groups differ in their susceptibility or resistance to viral and bacterial infections and diseases. With the discovery of blood groups and subsequent great advancement in its study, many workers have tried to find out a possible relationship between the incidence of these blood groups and the incidence of various diseases. Aim of the study was determine the association between COVID-19 virus infection and blood groups.Methods: This retrospective Case- control observational study was performed among subjects reported to hospital situated at central India for RT PCR-COVID-19 sampling during the period between March to September 2020. Total subjects enrolled were 1682.Results: The individuals with blood group Rh factor positive are found to be more susceptible in acquiring COVID-19 disease. Likelihood of getting COVID-19 is more with factor Rh positive in comparison to Rh negative counterparts. The association is observed statistically between Rh factor and status of COVID-19.Conclusions: In conclusion our results implicate that blood group are found to be associated with the status of COVID-19 disease. It is observed that the Rh positive individuals are more susceptible when compared to their Rh negative counterparts in acquiring COVID-19 disease.