Researchers at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have found that people with the Rh(D) blood type have an increased risk of contracting parvovirus. Research published Journal of Infectious Diseases.
Depending on what antigens are on the surface of red blood cells, dozens of different blood groups are distinguished. One of the antigens is the Rh factor, which can be found on the erythrocyte in the form of modifications denoted by the letters D, C, c, E, e.
The authors of a new study showed that people with the Rh(D) blood type have the highest risk of contracting parvovirus. Between 2015 and 2018, more than 160,000 blood donors in Germany were screened for parvovirus. 22 people from blood donors were infected with the virus. All those infected had the Rh(D) blood group. This important discovery may mean that Rh(D) is required for the virus to enter the cell.
Parvovirus most commonly affects school-aged children. It is manifested by red spots on the cheeks that can also spread to the arms and legs. Adults can also be infected, but their disease is mostly asymptomatic.
Women also had an increased risk of infection, which may result from working more than men in the care and childcare professions.
Source: Gazeta
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