Pensacola, fl
The early results of a new study by the 23andMe gene testing giant revealed that the blood group affects the exposure to the Coruna virus, and that those with the “O” family are the least vulnerable.
The preliminary data from the study – which is still ongoing and includes 750,000 participants, including 10,000 who told the company that they have “Covid-19” – indicate that people who have blood type “O” are at a 9 to 9% lower risk of disease. And 18%, of those with other blood types.
There appears to be a slight difference between other blood types, according to the study, which only examines susceptibility to disease, not its severity.
Results are adjusted when adjusted by age, body mass index, ethnicity and other diseases present, as well as when data are narrowed to healthcare workers and other first responders only, according to the company.
A European study published last week also found that blood type “O” is associated with decreased risk – and patients with family “A” are 50% more likely to need oxygen, or need a ventilation device.
The preliminary investigation of 23andMe, which was launched in April and is still recruiting additional participants, indicates that the difference of the DNA sequence in the ABO gene, which affects the blood type, is associated with a lower risk of “Covid-19”.
While the results are compelling, 23andMe lead researcher Adam Otton told the “Bloomberg” news platform that there is still a lot of work to do.
He added, “It is the early days, even with these sample sizes, that it may not be sufficient to find genetic links. We are not the only group looking at this, and the scientific community may eventually need to pool their resources to address questions about linkages.” Between genetics and “covid-19
