In a recent study published in the Journal of Blood Advances, it was identified that the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 may latch more easily onto the airway cells of people with Type A blood compared with those with type B or O blood. The findings hint at a possible explanation for why, throughout the pandemic, studies have found those with type A blood are likelier to catch COVID-19 and develop severe symptoms than other blood types.

Since the early days of the pandemic, several studies of coronavirus patients have uncovered trends in what blood types seem to become infected most often. Laboratory experiments revealed that part of the coronavirus called the “receptor binding domain” (RBD), which directly binds to cells to jumpstart infection, also grabs onto unique molecules associated with type A blood. In theory, binding to these structures may help the coronavirus enter and infect the airway cells more easily, however, we don’t know that for sure yet, per the study authors.

The data obtained during this study provides the first physical link between the coronavirus and type A blood but more research is needed to confirm that this difference affects the odds of actual infection. Really nothing to do from here but stay tuned, read the information shared by researchers, wash your hands, social distance, and mask up!

Stay well, roll your sleeves up, and stay tuned!