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Coronavirus: Pure Infectious Disease or Genetic Predisposition
Farzaneh Darbeheshti1,2, Hassan Abolhassani3,4,5, Mohammad Bashashati6,7
1Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|May 11, 2021
Summary
Genetic factors may influence susceptibility and severity of COVID-19. Research into host genetics, drawing parallels with SARS-CoV-1, aims to unravel the genetic predisposition puzzle for coronavirus disease 2019.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Human Genetics
- Immunology
Background:
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, a novel disease with limited understood host effects.
- Host genetic factors significantly influence individual susceptibility to infectious diseases.
- SARS-CoV-1, genetically similar to SARS-CoV-2, offers insights into potential host-pathogen interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the genetic susceptibility factors contributing to COVID-19.
- To investigate the role of host genetics in determining COVID-19 severity.
- To assemble evidence for a potential genetic predisposition model for COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on coronaviruses and host genetics.
- Analysis of genetic similarities between SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2.
- Discussion of potential genetic predisposition models for COVID-19.
Main Results:
- Host genetic factors are implicated in differential susceptibility and severity of COVID-19.
- Virus entry receptors and immune/inflammation-related genes are key areas of investigation.
- Parallels with SARS-CoV-1 suggest shared genetic susceptibility pathways.
Conclusions:
- Understanding host genetic factors is crucial for predicting COVID-19 outcomes.
- Further research into genetic predisposition can inform personalized risk assessment and management strategies.
- Genetic susceptibility to COVID-19 is a complex interplay of viral, host, and environmental factors.
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