Molecular-genetic variance of RH blood group system within human population of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Rhesus factor is a stronger predictor for the risk of Sars-CoV-2 and mortality than ABO blood types

Objectives

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between ABO blood groups and Rhesus factor (Rf) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (Sars-CoV-2), as well as the risk of infection susceptibility and death according to pre-existing comorbidities.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients medical record between March 2020 and March 2021. A total 470 patients were included in the study. The subjects were categorized according to diagnose of Sars-CoV-2. Also, we evaluated the subject according to severity of Sars-CoV-2 infection. The logistic and multivariate regression analysis were performed to predict possible effect of ABO and Rf types as well as comorbidities on indicators of Sars-CoV-2 severity including Intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization, intubation, and mortality.

Results

The distribution of ABO blood type and Rf were not statistically different cases with and without Sars-CoV-2. Blood type B and A were the most groups in intubation and mortality among patients with Sars-CoV-2. However, ABO blood types had no significant effect on risk of Sars-CoV-2 and mortality while, Rf had a significantly effect on it. Additionally, Rf had a statistically significant effect on all severity indicators of Sars-CoV-2 but ABO had not.

Conclusions

While Rf was significantly associated with risk of Sars-CoV-2 and had a strong effect on ICU admission, intubation, and mortality, ABO groups were not associated with risk of disease. Intubation and mortality rates were higher in patients with blood group B (OR: 2.93 p:0.390 95 % CI [0.253–33.9], OR: 0.217 p:0.211 95 % CI [0.020–2.37]) and Rh factor + (OR: 1.63 p:0.027 95 % CI [0.046–0.828]).