Association between serum ferritin level and ABO blood group in COVID-19 patients: A retrospective study

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread worldwide, and the pathogenic mechanism is still under investigation. Preliminary reports suggest a link between ABO blood groups and susceptibility to severe COVID-19. Aim: The aim of this study was to confirm the link between ABO blood type, the risk of coronavirus infection, and the severity of COVID-19 disease. Setting and Design: This was a retrospective cohort study. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out at tertiary care rural hospital in Central India. The patients admitted to the COVID unit over 6 months were enrolled in the study. The data further statistically analyzed the outcome of COVID-19 disease and its relation with the patient's blood group and serum ferritin levels. Results: The data analysis observed no significant impact of blood group on the outcome of COVID-19 in terms of death and cured cases. The mortality rate was 27.2% in the AB blood group, with the highest reported serum ferritin levels (1007.78 ± 1301.25). Compared to other blood groups, A (8.1%), followed by O (13.5%), with the lowest mortality rate (P = 0.31). Alanine transferase and aspartate transferase were maximally seen in patients having blood group AB +, and lower values were observed in blood group A. Conclusions: Blood groups A and O were considered COVID-19 protective in mortality following the cytokine storm. AB blood group had high serum ferritin levels, so it can be a potential tool to predict mortality and may be considered the culprit for the triggering "cytokine storm."