Do Genetics Underlie Severe COVID-19?

A recent study published by Science on October 23, 2020, examined the likelihood that genetics affect the risk of severe COVID-19. These researchers used a candidate gene approach and identified patients with severe COVID-19 who have mutations in genes involved in the regulation of type I and III IFN immunity.

The researchers found enrichment of these genes in patients and conclude that genetics may determine the clinical course of the infection.

Furthermore, they identified individuals with high titers of neutralizing autoantibodies against type I IFN-α2 and IFN-ω in about 10% of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. These autoantibodies were not found either in infected people who were asymptomatic or had milder phenotype or in healthy individuals.

'Together, these studies identify a means by which individuals at the highest risk of life-threatening COVID-19 can be identified,' stated these researchers.