Is O Negative the Rarest Blood Type?
According to research, the distribution of O-negative (O−) blood type among the world's population is approximately 2.55 percent. According to the American Red Cross, about 38 percent of Americans have blood group O-positive and seven percent (1 in every 15 individuals) have blood group type O-negative.
The prevalence of type O− varies with ethnicities.
- 37 percent among Caucasians
- 47 percent among African Americans
- 39 percent among Asians
- 53 percent among Latino-Americans
O− blood, also called "universal donor," is perhaps the most valuable blood in the world because it can be transfused to nearly any blood type (except when the person has some rare antigen outside of the main ones).
- When the recipient's blood type is unknown, such as during trauma or an emergency, O− blood is frequently used in transfusions.
- Unfortunately, O− blood is quite rare, and donors are in high demand all over the world due to the importance of this blood type.
- Because of its universality, O− blood is always the first to run out during a blood shortage according to the American Red Cross (can be given to people with type A, B, AB, or O)
- Unfortunately, people with O− blood can only receive O− blood, which is often in short supply.
Though only three to seven percent of the world's population is O+, it is not the only rare blood type.
3 rarest blood types
- Rh-null or golden blood
- It is the world's rarest blood type, with fewer than 50 known cases ever reported. When a person's blood lacks all 61 possible antigens, they are said to be Rh-null.
- Because Rh-null lacks all possible antigens, it can be donated to people who have blood types that are very different from the main eight. However, Rh-null can only accept blood from people with Rh-null blood type.
- The scarcity of Rh-null blood, combined with its unique properties, makes it extremely valuable for scientific research, earning it the name "Golden Blood."
- AB−
- AB− is the rarest of the eight basic blood types, accounting for less than one percent of the world's population. Within the United States, the least common of the eight well-known blood types is AB− with only 1 in every 167 people in the United States having it.
- While AB− can receive blood from all other Rh types, it can only donate blood to others who have AB blood, both Rh-negative and positive.
- Because AB− has both A and B antigens on its red cells, it is compatible with all the other major Rh-negative blood types.
- It is the universal plasma donor, and anyone from any blood group can receive plasma from AB blood.
- HH blood type, rare ABO group, or Bombay blood group
- This extremely rare phenotype blood group is found in approximately four per million of the world's population. One in every 10,000 people in Bombay may have it.
- There are approximately 179 people in India who have the Bombay phenotype blood group.
- Though the people with Bombay blood group are also O−, the additional H antigen that functions as a component of the ABO blood group is missing here. The absence of H antigen is referred to as the "Bombay phenotype."
- A person with the Bombay blood group can give blood to someone with the ABO blood group. They, however, can only take blood from their blood type, which is the HH blood type.
How many blood types are there?
A, B, AB, and O are the four main blood groups (blood types). Each blood group can be RhD-positive or RhD-negative, resulting in a total of eight blood groups.
- A+: This blood type is very common and a person with it can donate blood to people who have blood types A or AB.
- A−: People with blood type A− can donate blood to those with blood types A or AB. They can only receive blood from people with the A− or O− blood types.
- B+: This blood type is suitable for both B+ and AB+ people.
- B−: B− blood type is one of the most uncommon. Anyone with this blood type can donate blood to anyone with the B or AB blood types.
- AB+: Because AB-positive blood contains both A and B antigens in red blood cells, there are no antigens in the plasma. Patients with this blood type are eligible for any type of plasma or blood transfusion.
- AB−: It is a rare blood group, and people with the AB− blood group can receive red blood cells from people who have all negative blood groups.
- O+: O+, one of the most common blood groups, is not universally compatible with all blood groups. They can, however, be given to people who have all positive groups (A+, B+, O+, AB+).
- O−: It is the universal blood group. A person with O− blood can donate blood to anyone of any blood group. In an emergency, it is the most used blood type. The O− blood group, however, can only receive O− blood.
Blood groups are passed down from the parents.
How may blood type affect COVID-19?
The global biomedical research community is working hard to identify coronavirus risk factors and potential therapeutic targets as the pandemic continues.
The potential role of blood type in predicting COVID-19 infection risk and complications has become a hot topic in science. These new studies add to the evidence that there may be a link between blood type and COVID-19 vulnerability.
According to recent research, people who have:
- Blood type O may have the lowest infection risk.
- Individuals with A and AB may be at a higher risk of having serious clinical outcomes.
- According to research, Anti-A antibodies in people with blood groups O or B may block the virus's interaction with the cell receptor for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is a mechanism for virus transmission.
Additional research is needed, however, to better understand why this is happening and what it means for patients.
Clinicians should continue to follow current protocols in the care of COVID-19 patients until more data is collected. Furthermore, the public must remain vigilant in wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, and maintaining strict hand hygiene.