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The causal association between COVID-19 and herpes simplex virus: a Mendelian randomization study
Ming Yan1,2, Li-Yuan Xiao1, Martin Gosau2
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guiyang Hospital of Stomatology, Guiyang, China.
Frontiers in Immunology
|December 26, 2023
Summary
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may decrease the risk of herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) infection but increase the risk of herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) infection. Further research is needed to clarify this relationship.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a major global health concern.
- Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) are common viral infections.
- A potential link between COVID-19 and HSV infections has been suggested but not confirmed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential causal relationship between COVID-19 infection and HSV-1/HSV-2 infections.
- To assess whether COVID-19 influences the risk of acquiring HSV infections.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.
- Employed Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) data for causality assessment.
- Applied multiple estimation methods including IVW and weighted median.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 infection was associated with a reduced risk of HSV-1 infection (OR=0.5690).
- COVID-19 infection was associated with an increased risk of HSV-2 infection (OR=1.1137).
- Reverse MR analysis found no evidence of a causal link from HSV to COVID-19.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 infection may reduce the risk of HSV-1.
- COVID-19 infection may elevate the risk of HSV-2.
- The causal relationship is unidirectional from COVID-19 to HSV infections.
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