PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY TO ASSESS ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD GROUP ANTIGENS AND RISK OF CORONAVIRUS INFECTION CONDUCTED IN A TERTIARY CENTRE.

Abstract

Purpose: COVID-19 has caused large scale morbidity and mortality. Assessment of frequency of blood groups in COVID-19 to investigate its susceptibility in different blood groups will help in risk stratication and its better understanding. Aims: To assess association between blood group antigens and coronavirus infection. Settings and Design: Blood group of COVID-19 patients was determined and was compared with blood group of blood donors over a period of 23 months. Blood group of both Ccovid-19 positive and negative health care workers was also compared. Methods and Material: Blood group determination was done in 1559 COVID-19 patients, out of which 81 were health care workers. Blood group of 754 COVID-19 negative health care workers was also determined. Gel column technique was used for blood grouping. Blood group frequency of COVID-19 patients was compared with blood group frequency of blood donors over a period of 23 months. Statistical analysis used: Odds ratio, 95% condence limit, z statistic and p value were calculated using online software available at https://www.medcalc.org/calc/odds_ratio.php. p value less than 0.05 was considered signicant. Results: B+ is most prevalent blood group in blood donors hence it was the most frequent blood group encountered in COVID19 patients, No signicant difference was noted in frequency of blood groups of COVID-19 patients and blood donors. Similar results were obtained after comparison of blood group in COVID-19 positive and negative Conclusions: No blood group is immune to SARS-CoV-2. Hence there should be universal compliance of sanitization protocols and vaccination