Some people recover from COVID-19 quite easily, while others suffer terrible consequences or even die. This, of course, is related to the overall condition of your body, but there are other factors at play as well. For example, scientists researchers from the University of Edinburgh with international partners have discovered 13 DNA sequences that are associated with people developing the most severe form of Covid-19.
SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19 disease – in some cases it is lethal. Image credit: We Are Covert via Wikimedia
A large team of scientists analyzed data of almost 50,000 Covid-19 patients from 25 countries looking for links between genetic information and COVID-19 symptoms. They wanted to see if some people are predisposed to more severe symptoms of the infection. We know that there are many risk factors, such as age and prior history of chronic diseases. But what about genes?
Scientists found key differences in 13 genetic markers of Covid-19 patients compared with healthy volunteers. They believe that these markers could explain why some people suffer more severe symptoms, while others remain unaffected. 2 of those genetic markers appear more often in patients of East Asian or South Asian ancestry. Naturally, even in this study scientists noted that smoking and high body mass index are very significant reasons why some people suffer from Covid-19 more acutely.
Several genes stood out in this study. For example, FOXP4 – not only it is linked to severe COVID-19 symptoms, but it is also associated with lung cancer. DPP9 is also linked to lung cancer, but it also plays a role in pulmonary fibrosis and, of course, COVID-19. Meanwhile, the TYK2 gene is implicated in some autoimmune diseases.
Scientists say that international efforts are crucial to understanding COVID-19, how it spreads and how it kills. Dr. Kenneth Baillie, one of the authors of the study, said: “By working together across the whole world, we are able to accelerate discovery for the benefit of patients. This new international analysis builds on the colossal effort made by patients and intensive care research teams across the whole UK in the genomic study.”
COVID-19 is going to be a big problem for several years. If you think that with vaccines coming and new treatment methods emerging we are almost through this pandemic, you’re wrong. Therefore, it is important to understand the biggest risk factors, identify the most vulnerable individuals and protect them so that we could soon return to a somewhat normal life.
Source: University of Edinburgh
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