Genetic susceptibility and incidence of COVID-19

Coronavirus disease or COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by anew founded coronavirus. The interesting fact about this disease is that most of the infected patients with the COVID-19 virus will get mild to moderate respiratory illness and recuperate without requiring particular types of treatment. These various types of symptoms with the same type of viral source can be dependent on many factors such as genetic susceptibility of infected people that scientists are now focusing on patients’ genomes to study the DNA variations.

The goal of this study is to compare the DNA of people who have serious symptoms of COVID-19 but no underlying disease like diabetes, heart or lung disease with those that having mild or silent symptoms of infection with the COVID-19. This pilot study reported the huge differences in clinical outcomes worldwide that suggesting, the hosts (infected people by COVID-19) genetic differences are a key factor for susceptibility to severe acute pneumonia.

On the other hand study of genetic variants for the ACE2 receptor in many COVID-19 positive patients reviled the differences in the human leukocyte antigen genes, which influence the immune system’s response to viruses and bacteria, affect disease severity.

For further findings, scientists tried to have a flashback to another member of the coronavirus family such as coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The genetic studies and association analysis which is done in the Medical University of Wrocław, Poland have revealed the relationship between genetic differences and susceptibility to infection with viruses such as AIDS, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, DENV (Dengue virus), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) bacteria, Mycobacterium lepromatosis, meningitis, and malaria (parasites of the genus Plasmodium). Researchers have already found mutations in a gene encoding the CCR5 receptor protein can make people less likely to contract AIDS. The other research which is done in the Medical University of Białystok previously, past studies have also found variations in the ACE2 gene are known to make people more susceptible to the coronavirus 2 and the ACE2 gene has a critical role in infections related to this virus. The gene encodes the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) that is found in the lungs, the small intestine and other cells. This study also showed the activated virus proteins as in the coronavirus 2 pandemic in 2002 has been shown to bind to the human receptor encoded by the ACE2 gene, causing infection. Further, they found linked variations in the ACE2 gene to cardiological problems as well.

Further, the outcome of a few studies in China also declared, people with A blood group are highly susceptible to get COVID-19 but in contrast, people with O blood groups are highly protected.

Scientists all over the world are working hard to find an effective solution to overcome this huge problem and they are hoping their findings maybe can explain the mystery to identify the people who are most at risk of serious sickness and ultimately can help the physicians to find the new effective treatments.