May 3, 2024

Your Blood Group Can Predict Your Risk of Contracting This Incredibly Common Viral Disease

It is approximated that up to 50% of people have been infected with Parvovirus B19 at some point in their lives, although lots of individuals might not have developed signs or were uninformed that they were infected. In some cases, the infection can cause more serious issues, particularly in people with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions.
According to a study released in The Journal of Infectious Diseases performed by scientists from the Karolinska Institute in collaboration with Octapharma, individuals with blood group Rh( D) are at an increased risk of parvovirus infection.
Fifth disease, a viral health problem triggered by parvovirus, is most frequently seen in school-age children and is defined by red spots on the cheeks that can likewise infect the legs and arms. While grownups can also be infected with the virus, many do disappoint any symptoms.
In a brand-new research study, researchers can now demonstrate that the threat of contracting the illness rises if the individual comes from the blood group Rhesus D antigen or what is called Rh( D). In addition to the blood typing in the AB0 system, the Rh system is the most typical.

All infected belonged to Rh( D).
More than 160,000 blood donors in Germany were evaluated for parvovirus in between 2015 and 2018. Of the blood donors, 22 people were infected with the infection. All contaminated individuals belonged to the blood group Rh( D).
” It is a significant finding that has actually not yet been explained that might indicate that Rh( D) is necessary when the infection enters the host cell and likewise might be a brand-new, since yet unknown cellular receptor for the infection,” says Rasmus Gustafsson, associated scientist at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at Karolinska Institute and project manager at Octapharma.
Ladies were over-represented.
The scientists were likewise able to see that the threat of infection was elevated throughout the summer season. In addition, females in addition to people aged 31 to 40 have actually an increased danger of infection.
” At that age, there are usually young children around. We currently know that young children get contaminated in preschool and after that contaminate their parents. So, the age and gender distribution can be a reflection of the fact that females to a greater level than men work in the care occupations and take care of kids,” states Rasmus Gustafsson.
Referral: “Prevalence of Parvovirus B19 Viremia Among German Blood Donations and the Relationship to ABO and Rhesus Blood Group Antigens” by Katie Healy, Linda B S Aulin, Urban Freij, Marie Ellerstad, Lena Brückle, Helen Hillmering, Tor-Einar Svae, Kristina Broliden and Rasmus Gustafsson, 21 November 2022, The Journal of Infectious Diseases. DOI: 10.1093/ infdis/jiac456.
The study was conducted in partnership with the business Octapharma, where several of the co-authors are active.

It is approximated that up to 50% of individuals have actually been infected with Parvovirus B19 at some point in their lives, although lots of people might not have established symptoms or were uninformed that they were infected. In some cases, the infection can trigger more severe complications, particularly in individuals with jeopardized immune systems or underlying health conditions.
Of the blood donors, 22 individuals were contaminated with the infection. We already know that young kids get contaminated in preschool and then contaminate their moms and dads.