ASSOCIATION OF COVID-19 WITH ABO BLOOD GROUPS IN TERTIARY CARE CENTER OF PAKISTAN

Objective: To determine the relationship between ABO blood groups and the COVID-19 susceptibility. Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Pathology, Army Medical College, in collaboration with Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, from March to May 2020. Methodology: The sample comprised of 326 patients. Non-purposive consecutive sampling technique was used with inclusion criteria of COVID-19 patients confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase-chain-reaction test (RT-PCR) of sub acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) of all age groups. ABO blood grouping was done by test tube method. The results were compared with recent surveys of ABO blood group distribution in general population of Pakistan. Results: The ABO blood group distribution of normal population was compared with COVID-19 patients. The blood group A was found to be 122 (37.4%) having significant association with COVID infection and mortality but blood group O had least prevalence 71 (21.8%) with COVID-19 infection. The p-value was calculated using Chi-square test which was p 0.04. Conclusion: Blood group A had a significant association where as people with blood group O had a least association for COVID-19 infection and severity. The findings of the present study can be used in clinical management of the COVID-19 and that blood group A population is more susceptible to acquire COVID-19 infection, further more can develop complications with high mortality rate. Clinicians should be more vigilant in treating patients with blood group A.