Blood types (ABO/Rhesus) and SARS-CoV-2 infection: a retrospective, cross-sectional study in 2828 healthcare workers

Background: The authors aimed to investigate the relationship between ABO/Rhesus blood types and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization in healthcare workers (HCWs). Materials & methods: This study compared HCWs with (n = 510) and without (n = 2318) SARS-CoV-2 infection. Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization in HCWs were shown as odds ratios with 95% CI. Results: Blood group O was found to be protective by 20% from the risk of developing SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCWs (29.2 vs 33.8%; odds ratio: 0.808; 95% CI: 0.655–0.996; p = 0.045). The prevalence of group O was lower in hospitalized patients than in outpatients (25 vs 29.5%; p = 0.614). Conclusion: These findings suggest that blood groups are associated with the development of SARS-CoV-2 infection.