Blood types could be key in HIV infection fight, say experts

The level of a person's resistance to contracting HIV could depend on their blood type, it has been suggested.

Research lead by the Canadian Blood Services, The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and Lund University in Sweden has found that certain blood types are more readily affected by the virus, while others exhibit a strong resistance.

The study found that blood cells which produce an excess of the blood group antigen Pk are less vulnerable to HIV infection. Such blood cells are found in a small fraction of the population, around one in a million.

Dr Don Branch of Canadian Blood Services said: "This study is not suggesting that your blood type alone determines if you will get HIV.

"However, it does suggest that individuals who are exposed to the virus, may be helped or hindered by their blood status in fighting the infection."

The report, published in the Blood journal, concluded that the Pk could be used to provide protection against HIV infection in the future.