"Based on our study, we think variation in HLA genes is part of the explanation for the huge differences in infection severity in many COVID-19 patients. These differences in the HLA genes are probably not the only genetic factor that affects severity of COVID-19, but they may be a significant piece of the puzzle. It is important to further study how HLA types can clinically affect COVID-19 severity and to test these predictions using real cases. Understanding how variation in HLA types may affect the clinical course of COVID-19 could help identify individuals at higher risk from the disease."
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/yo...ter-2020-05-05
People who have a rare gene mutation, CCR5, are immune to HIV. The virus simply cannot enter their cells. Covid is a uniquely contagious disease and yet we know there are tons of people who have been exposed and are walking around with no symptoms. This means either the virus could not infect them because of some genetic advantage, or the virus infected them but did not do much to them because of some other genetic advantage.
Women also carry two Xs, and therefore have double the gene TLR7, which detects viruses and aids in mobilizing defense to them.
There are also tons of stories about how variations in ACE1 and ACE2 genes are important. If you have fewer ACE2 genes, you have fewer receptors to which Covid can attach. The amount of ACE1 and ACE2 genes varies from population to population.
I think I've just fixed that. But don't take my word for it. There are endless articles about the work being done by geneticists around the world to figure out the differences in genes that impact susceptibility to both acquisition of the virus and severity of symptoms.
Totally agree. It appears that you can have every genetic advantage possible, but if you are repeatedly hit with the virus, it will overwhelm your defenses.
But if you control for those variables, you will find there is a genetic difference. I think the most fascinating data will come from comparison of people in roughly identical situations who have wildly different outcomes. We have a lot of data sets for this. There are tons of instances in which, within families, the disease spares a handful of people and kills one. I just heard of one yesterday involving a friend of my father. Family got sick at vacation house. Athlete, in his 70s, no co-morbidities. Wife did fine, son and daughter did fine, grandkids fine, and he's dead. It could be bad luck, it could unknown co-morbidities, but it could also be the fact that he's the only person in the house who didn't have a lucky genetic background that his wife enjoyed and passed along to the kids.
Agreed. But as with HIV, we will find a genetic component that confers advantage, or unique disadvantage.
