Is having RH negative blood linked to autoimmune disease?
- Rh Negative Facts
Mike DammannSeptember 17, 20181
The short answer: “Yes.”
Young woman with the typical “butterfly rash” found in lupus
Autoimmune disease is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells.
About 24 million (7%) people in the United States are affected by an autoimmune disease. Women are more commonly affected than men. Often they start during adulthood.
Rhesus-positive and Rhesus-negative persons differ in the presence-absence of highly immunogenic RhD protein on the erythrocyte membrane. The biological function of the RhD molecule is unknown. Its structure suggests that the molecular complex with RhD protein transports NH3 or CO2 molecules across the erythrocyte cell membrane. Some data indicate that RhD positive and RhD negative subjects differ in their tolerance to certain biological factors, including, Toxoplasma infection, aging and fatique.
When it comes to autoimmune issues in general, RhD negative subjects have increased the risk of developing of certain heart diseases, respiratory diseases and some immunity and autoimmunity related diseases, for example rheumatoid arthritis. The general pattern suggests that RhD negative subjects could have problems with autoimmunity, could be more resistant to infections of viral origin and could be less resistant to infections of bacterial origin. The variation of the oxygen tension in various organs and tissues could, of course, influence also other biological functions, including the functions of the immune system. This could explain why RhD negativity seems to be associated with neurological, mental health and immunological disorders.
See the study:
Worse Health Status and Higher Incidence of Health Disorders in Rhesus Negative Subjects
Thanks to: http://www.rhesusnegative.net