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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
PubMed

Insights

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.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19Mendelian randomizationassociationcausal effectherpes simplex virus

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