Association of ABO Blood Group and Severe Plasmodium falciparum Malaria: An Updated Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis.
Trop Med Int HealthJun 19, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchInfectious Diseases
Shovit Ranjan, Madhavi Dubey, Sharda Sharma et al.
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In 30 seconds
This meta-analysis examined the association between ABO blood groups and severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria in 3553 severe malaria and 6112 uncomplicated malaria cases. It found that blood groups A, B, AB, and non-O were associated with increased risk of severe malaria compared to group O, with odds ratios of 1.98, 1.87, 1.91, and 1.88, respectively.
Key findings
- Blood group A was associated with a 1.98 times higher risk of severe malaria compared to group O.
- Blood group B showed a protective effect with an odds ratio of 0.75.
- Severe malaria patients had a mean decrease in haemoglobin of 2.23 g/dL.
- Non-O blood groups had increased risk in both adults and children.
Why it matters
Understanding the relationship between ABO blood groups and severe malaria can help identify individuals at higher risk, potentially guiding clinical management and research into targeted interventions.