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People with type A blood are likely more susceptible to COVID-19 infections, because the spike protein of the virus shows an affinity for blood group A cells, according to a new study in Blood. This is the strongest evidence to date to support the idea that blood types influence who is more likely to contract COVID-19. Moreover, the study shows the spike protein's affinity for type A cells may be amplified by the Omicron strain of the virus. 25% to 50% increased infection for type A The study looked at the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2, which facilitates host...

Scientists from the University of Bristol and NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT) have discovered a rare new blood group system. The findings, published in Blood, the journal of the American Society of Hematology, also solve a 30-year mystery...In this study, individuals with alloantibodies against a collection of antigens termed Er, that were first observed more than 30-years ago, were investigated by applying a powerful technique allowing simultaneous analysis of all their gene coding DNA sequences. Specific changes were identified in the gene coding for the Piezo1 protein, which would result in the production of an altered protein on the cell...