Comparative Susceptibility to Adenovirus Infection of Children of Blood Groups A and O

Abstract

MANY workers have investigated the relationship between blood group and susceptibility to certain diseases¹. The validity of the conclusions is dependent on the application of appropriate statistical analysis. Recently susceptibility to certain virus infections has been shown to be related to blood groups. McDonald and Zuckerman² reported their findings in 1,875 airmen admitted to sick quarters during the period 1956–61 with respiratory disease. They found that the incidence of infection with influenza A₂ virus was significantly higher in persons of blood group O than in persons of blood group A. The incidence of infection with adenoviruses, however, showed an opposite trend. The authors suggest that the apparent susceptibility of persons of blood group A to adenovirus infection might be the result of failure to acquire antibodies in childhood due to raised natural resistance.