HLA-DRB1*14 is associated with lower odds of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in Mexican individuals

Mexico has been one of the countries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several factors can influence the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly highly polymorphic genes in the HLA system. Therefore, this pilot study analyzed the association between HLA-DRB1 genetic polymorphisms and the susceptibility and/or resistance to symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in a population from the Metropolitan Area of the Valley of Mexico. Individuals with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were recruited (n = 90), as well as a seronegative control group without reported symptomatic infection (n = 60). The HLA-DRB1 locus was typed using NGS. We found a significant increase in the frequency of the HLA-DRB1*14 allele in the control group (OR = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.18-0.72; p = 0.003; pc = 0.03). These data suggest that HLA-DRB1*14, a prevalent allele in the Mexican population, is associated with a reduced risk of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in this cohort.