Association of ABO Blood Groups with Dengue Fever and its Severity: A Study in Surabaya, Indonesia

Authors

Sulistiawati Sulistiawati, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, IndonesiaFollow
Linda Dewanti, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
Ronald Pratama Adiwinoto, Faculty of Medicine Hang Tuah University, Surabaya, Indonesia
Raissa Manika Purwaningtias, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
Bilqis Inayatillah, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
Jan Nouwen, Internal Medicine - Infectious Diseases section, Erasmus MC - University Medical Center Rotterdam

Abstract

Background: Indonesia, a dengue-endemic country, has high morbidity and mortality rates. Dengue infection manifestations vary from asymptomatic to mild to severe. One of the risk factors for infection that plays a role in this severity is blood type. A better understanding of the risk factors for dengue infection is required to prevent and control it.

Methods: This analytical observational cross-sectional study was conducted at three hospitals in Surabaya from March to May 2013. Consecutive sampling included 95 patients aged >12 years with confirmed dengue infection (IgM/IgG positive) and without comorbid severe illness. Data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, and checklists, with informed consent obtained. Laboratory examinations included ABO blood grouping and dengue serology (IgM/IgG) using standardized procedures. Dengue severity was classified according to WHO criteria. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0 with chi-square tests, considering p < 0.05 statistically significant.

Results: The risk factors for dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) associated with ABO blood type were investigated. The most common blood groups in patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever were O (47.3%) and AB (8.4%). According to this study, there were significant differences in the severity of dengue infection based on the blood type (p = 0.019). Moreover, we observed that patients with blood type B tended to develop more severe dengue infections.

Conclusions: This study indicates that blood type B is more susceptible to dengue severity; however, other factors can also affect severity in addition to blood type.

Keywords: Dengue, Dengue Hemorrhage Fever, Human and health, Infectious disease, Indonesia.

Recommended Citation

Sulistiawati S, Dewanti L, Adiwinoto R, Purwaningtias R, Inayatillah B, Nouwen J. Association of ABO Blood Groups with Dengue Fever and its Severity: A Study in Surabaya, Indonesia. J Health Res. 2025; 39(6):Title Page-References. DOI: https://doi.org/10.56808/2586-940X.1165

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