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

Parvovirus B19 is a comparatively widespread viral an infection, particularly in kids. It’s estimated that as much as 50% of individuals have been contaminated with Parvovirus B19 sooner or later of their lives, though many individuals could not have developed signs or have been unaware that they have been contaminated. The virus is extra generally transmitted in the course of the spring and winter months and is mostly related to gentle sickness, equivalent to fifth illness, which causes a attribute pink rash on the face. Nevertheless, in some circumstances, the virus may cause extra severe problems, significantly in folks with compromised immune programs or underlying well being situations.

Based on a research printed in The Journal of Infectious Ailments performed by researchers from the Karolinska Institute in collaboration with Octapharma, folks with blood group Rh(D) are at an elevated threat of parvovirus an infection.

Fifth illness, a viral sickness brought on by parvovirus, is mostly seen in school-age kids and is characterised by pink blotches on the cheeks that may additionally unfold to the legs and arms. Whereas adults will also be contaminated with the virus, many don’t present any signs.

In a brand new research, researchers can now exhibit that the danger of contracting the illness is elevated if the particular person belongs to the blood group Rhesus D antigen or what known as Rh(D). Along with the blood typing within the AB0 system, the Rh system is the commonest.

All contaminated belonged to Rh(D)

Greater than 160,000 blood donors in Germany have been screened for parvovirus between 2015 and 2018. Of the blood donors, 22 folks have been contaminated with the virus. All contaminated individuals belonged to the blood group Rh(D).

“It’s a important discovering that has not but been described that might imply that Rh(D) is necessary when the virus enters the host cell and in addition could also be a brand new, as of but unidentified mobile receptor for the virus,” says Rasmus Gustafsson, affiliated researcher on the Division of Scientific Neuroscience at Karolinska Institute and mission supervisor at Octapharma.

Girls have been over-represented

The researchers have been additionally in a position to see that the danger of an infection was elevated in the course of the summer time months. As well as, girls in addition to folks aged 31 to 40 have an elevated threat of an infection.

“At that age, there are normally toddlers round. We already know that younger kids get contaminated in preschool after which infect their dad and mom. So, the age and gender distribution is usually a reflection of the truth that girls to a higher extent than males work within the care professions and take care of kids,” says Rasmus Gustafsson.

Reference: “Prevalence of Parvovirus B19 Viremia Amongst German Blood Donations and the Relationship to ABO and Rhesus Blood Group Antigens” by Katie Healy, Linda B S Aulin, City Freij, Marie Ellerstad, Lena Brückle, Helen Hillmering, Tor-Einar Svae, Kristina Broliden and Rasmus Gustafsson, 21 November 2022, The Journal of Infectious Ailments. 
DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac456

The research was performed in collaboration with the corporate Octapharma, the place a number of of the co-authors are lively.