ABO-RH Blood Group and the Risk of COVID-19 in the Moroccan Population

Author(s): Reda Karami, Mourad Belaouni, Elhoucine Malki, Rabii El Bahraouy, Mohammed Er-Rami, Lhoussain Louzi, Khalid Lahmadi

Introduction: Given the rapid spread, significant morbidity, and mortality associated with COVID-19, there has been scientific interest in obtaining data detailing the factors influencing the risk of COVID-19 infection. This study aimed to reveal a possible association between the ABO-Rh system and the risk of COVID-19 in the Moroccan population.

Materials and Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study. This was performed on 1094 patients for the diagnosis of COVID-19 by RT-PCR at the Moulay Ismail military hospital in the province of Meknes. All RT-PCR-negative individuals were used as a comparison group.

Results: Among the 1094 individuals who were diagnosed, RT-PCR for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 was positive for 242 individuals. A comparison of the proportions of blood groups of the two groups showed that the proportion of blood group A in patients with COVID-19 was significantly higher than that in people in the comparison group (P = 0.007), while the proportion of blood group O in patients with COVID-19 was significantly lower than that in people in the control group (P = 0.017). A comparison of the Rh blood group of the two groups did not find a significant association (P = 0.608).

Conclusion: As demonstrated by several previous studies, we concluded that blood group A was associated with a higher risk of acquiring COVID-19. In addition, the blood group O was associated with a lower risk of infection.