06-17-2020, 05:06 PM
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NE...?query=TOC
Two genetic loci (locations in the genome) were found to be associated with COVID-19. One was the gene that determines ABO blood group. We'd already seen links that individuals with type A blood were over-represented in patients with severe COVID-19, and this study confirmed it genetically (unfortunately for me, as I have blood type A). The second locus was on chromosome 3. There are six genes close to the signal, several of which could plausibly influence the severity of infection. More work will have to be done to identify which of the genes conferred the risk.
This will be the first of many such studies.
BC
Two genetic loci (locations in the genome) were found to be associated with COVID-19. One was the gene that determines ABO blood group. We'd already seen links that individuals with type A blood were over-represented in patients with severe COVID-19, and this study confirmed it genetically (unfortunately for me, as I have blood type A). The second locus was on chromosome 3. There are six genes close to the signal, several of which could plausibly influence the severity of infection. More work will have to be done to identify which of the genes conferred the risk.
This will be the first of many such studies.
BC