Search

Searching. Please wait…

Blood group O is associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome in outpatients with a low comorbidity index

Abstract: Background: ABO blood group system modulates the inflammatory response and has been implicated in COVID-19. Group O protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection, but there are no data regarding post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). Our aim was to assess this possible association. Methods: Case-control study in a community setting, with subjects who had experienced mild COVID-19. Cases were PCS+, controls were PCS-, and the exposure variable, group O. We collected age, sex, BMI, smoking, comorbidities, inflammatory markers, anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, blood type and clinical data. Five composite inflammatory indices were developed. Multivariate analyses were performed. Results: We analysed 121 subjects (56.2% women), mean age 45.7 ± 16 years. Blood group frequencies were 41.5%, 7.9%, 5.9%, and 44.5% for A, B, AB and O, respectively. Thirty-six patients were PCS+, without significant differences between cases and controls. Compared to non-O, a higher prevalence of PCS (p = .036), and number of symptoms of PCS (p = .017) were noted in group O. Concerning biomarkers, PCS + and PCS- showed no differences in A, B, and AB groups. In contrast, group O PCS + patients had significantly lower albumin-to-globulin ratio and higher lymphocyte count, fibrinogen, CRP levels, and higher percentages of 3 composite indices, than PCS- subjects. Group O showed a 6-fold increased risk of PCS, compared to non-O (adjusted OR = 6.25 [95%CI, 1.6-23]; p = .007). Conclusions: Group O has shown a consistent relationship with PCS, characterised by a more intense inflammatory burden than the other blood groups. Blood group O could be part of the immunological link between acute COVID-19 and PCS.

 Authorship: Sara Díaz-Salazara, Raquel Navas, Laura Sainz-Maza, Patricia Fierro, Meryam Maamar, Arancha Artime, Héctor Basterrechea, Benedetta Petitta, Stefanie Pini, José Manuel Olmos, Carmen Ramos, Emilio Pariente and José Luis Hernández

 Fuente: Infectious Diseases, 2022, 54(12)

 Publisher: Taylor & Francis

 Year of publication: 2022

 No. of pages: 12

 Publication type: Article

 DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2022.2115548

 ISSN: 2374-4235,2374-4243

 Publication Url: https://doi.org/10.1080/23744235.2022.2115548

Authorship

DÍAZ-SALAZAR, SARA

NAVAS, RAQUEL

SAINZ-MAZA, LAURA

FIERRO, PATRICIA

MAAMAR, MERYAM

ARTIME, ARANCHA

BASTERRECHEA, HÉCTOR

PETITTA, BENEDETTA