Buzz
People with Type A blood who enjoy buffets may face a troubling new finding: a study highlighted by Science News shows that this blood type carries a notably higher risk of developing severe diarrhea from a common bacterial infection.
Scientists from the Washington University School of Medicine discovered that a protein produced by a strain of Escherichia coli attaches to sugar molecules found only in the blood cells and intestines of people with Type A blood.
In the study, 106 healthy participants consumed water containing a strain of the bacterium E. coli—a leading cause of infectious diarrhea worldwide. While 56 percent of volunteers with blood types O and B developed moderate to severe diarrhea, 81 percent of those with Type A or AB blood became ill. All participants received antibiotics afterward.
According to researchers, the findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, may play a significant role in the creation of a potent vaccine. Parts of the world that are still developing are especially vulnerable to E. coli contamination, which is responsible for millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of fatalities annually, the researchers explain.
As those who have experienced "Delhi belly" can confirm, this is also a concern for travelers heading to developing areas. The primary sources of E. coli infections are tainted food and water, so it's essential to consistently wash your hands and avoid consuming raw produce and undercooked beef while abroad.
