Confirm that genetic variations affect covid-19 severity

2020/06/18 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Medikuntza
• Genetika
• COVID-19

A genetic study conducted in Italy and Spain identified several genetic variants related to the risk of respiratory failure. The Donostia University Hospital has also participated and the study has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. According to him, those in the blood group O have a lower risk of needing respirators (35% less), while those in group A have a 50% higher risk.

Specifically, two genome areas have been associated with the severe impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. One of them is found on chromosome 3 and is responsible for regulating 6 genes involved in covid-19 severity. For example, one of the genes interacts with the ACE2 protein, the receptor to which the virus accesses the fields. Another is related to the mechanism that causes inflammation of the lungs.

The other area is on chromosome 9 and is associated with the ABO system of blood groups. Data show that those in Group A have a 50% higher risk of needing respirators, while those in Group O have a 35% lower risk. However, researchers warn that they do not know their biological mechanisms, but they may be related specifically to the ABO system.