New research conducted by European scientists revealed people with blood type A may be more vulnerable to severe cases of coronavirus. 

According to the report, two points in the human genome were linked to an increased risk of respiratory failure in COVID-19 patients. The German and Norwegian researchers were the first to document a strong link between genetic variations and the coronavirus. 

Research Findings

The research team took blood samples from 1,610 patients who needed oxygen or ventilators in hospitals in Italy and Spain. They extracted the DNA and compared their findings with the blood samples from 2,205 donors who were not infected with the disease.

The scientists were looking for spots in the genome that an unusually high number of severely ill patients shared. One of the two points they found is said to be responsible for determine a person's blood type.

The blood type A increased the likelihood for a patient to need a ventilator by 50 percent. The findings suggest that other factors may play a significant role in determining who develops severe and critical COVID-19 symptoms. 

Researchers in China and the United States have also conducted separate studies where the results also showed that having the blood type A made patients more susceptible to the disease. 

During the 2002 to 2003 SARS epidemic, scientists also concluded that individuals with type A blood were more vulnerable to the disease. 

DNA and Genes

Dr. Andre Franke, a molecular geneticist and co-author of the study, claims no one knows why a person's blood type impacts a patient's susceptibility to certain viruses. However, he noted that the locus or the point where the bloody-type gene is found also contains DNA the produces a gene responsible for triggering strong immune responses. 

In some people, the coronavirus triggers an overreaction of the immune system called the cytokine storm. Overreaction of the immune system may lead to massive inflammation and lung damage. In theory, it is possible the genetic variations could influence the response of the immune system. 

Another locus on Chromosome 3 showed a stronger link to the virus. However, the spot houses six genes, making it difficult for scientists to identify which directly influences the course of the illness. 

One of the gene candidates encodes a protein that is needed for the virus to enter a person's cells. A nearby gene encodes immune-signaling molecules, which scientists say could be triggering an overreaction that leads to lung failure. 

Dr. Franke and his team are part of the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative, an international effort where other researchers from around the world can share and analyze data on research on genes and its link to COVID-19. 

More than a thousand researchers from 46 countries have joined the initiative and are collecting DNA samples from people afflicted with the coronavirus pandemic. All data is posted on the website where others can freely analyze and review the reports. 

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