BOSTON — COVID-19 displays behavior akin to a vampire, demonstrating a distinct preference for individuals with blood type A, a new study reveals. Just as Dracula had an insatiable appetite for blood, so too does the spike protein of COVID-19 — which enables the virus to invade hosts — show a marked preference for those carrying blood type A.
The fabled Count has often been likened to a metaphor for viruses, representing the late 19th Century’s fears of contagion. This recent study illuminates why the coronavirus proves fatal for some while others may be entirely oblivious to their infection. Experimental results revealed that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is more adept at infecting individuals with blood group A compared to those with blood types B, AB, or O.
This finding offers a direct link to higher rates of infection, and understanding such risk factors can pave the way for potential therapies.
“We show that the part of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that’s key to enabling the virus to invade cells displays affinity for blood group A cells,” says the study’s lead author, Dr. Sean Stowell from Harvard Medical School, in a media release. “The virus, in turn, also shows a preferential ability to infect blood group A cells.”
Many people are unaware of their blood type unless it becomes a pertinent issue, such as needing a transfusion. This study corroborates previous evidence suggesting that carriers of blood type A — comprising approximately one-third of the population — are most susceptible to COVID-19.
Previous research has suggested that individuals with blood type O, who make up nearly 40 percent of the population, are less vulnerable. They are also believed to have reduced risk of organ failure and death.
Scientists have pinpointed a potential “smoking gun” – a mechanism that may explain this discrepancy. Laboratory experiments involved the addition of a protein that prevented SARS-CoV-2 from recognizing blood antigens, or substances that trigger an immune response. This intervention obstructed the virus’ preference for infecting blood group A cells, but had no effect on blood group O.
“Blood group A cells were more likely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 when compared with blood group O cells,” Dr. Stowell notes.
Additional tests revealed that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 demonstrated an even stronger preference for blood group A cells compared to the original virus. However, these findings do not imply that individuals with blood group O should ignore precautions against infection.
“Among several thousand people, some studies suggest that those with blood group A may be 20% more likely to be infected after exposure to SARS-CoV-2 compared with those with blood group O,” Dr. Stowell clarifies. “However, individuals with blood group O can still contract and transmit the virus. Furthermore, factors such as age and chronic conditions like heart disease are more significant than blood type in determining the risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.”
Future studies will be necessary to uncover the precise mechanisms that attract the virus to blood group A, which will have implications for the emergence of new variants.
This study is published in the journal Blood.
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South West News Service writer Mark Waghorn contributed to this report.
“covid” is a conspiracy of the rich murderers as David Martin just proved in the EU parliament, revealing its roots going back to 1960’s. They should all be arrested and tried for crimes against humanity. The virus never left the laboratories. And it was invented in the US, not in China, as David Martin also demonstrated to the shocked European parliamentarians who saluted him with a powerful applause at the end of his presentation. Stupid chinese were merely trying to finish the “gain of function” part for the US murderous mafia who could not do that because “gain of function” is forbidden in the US.
The truth is finally out and if you continue to peddle the lies, you are just cheap and useless fools serving your murderous asters. And people will remember that when the time for arresting comes, very soon.