The main risk factors for a severe course of Covid-19 disease are old age and obesity, as well as certain chronic diseases (diabetes, etc.). But young, otherwise healthy people can also become seriously ill. US scientists have now identified 1,370 genetic variants that could explain 77 percent of this risk.
US scientists examined blood samples from 5,101 Covid-19 patients who had to be given artificial respiration or who had succumbed to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Their genetic characteristics were compared with those of nearly 1.4 million people without Covid-19 disease who had otherwise participated in genome studies.
More than 1000 risk genes identified
The result, according to the scientists: “We identified more than 1,000 risk genes in 19 cell types that are responsible for 77 percent of an inherited risk of serious disease progression.” individual genetic material components (SNPs) are exchanged.
Severe courses of Covid-19 are mainly based on an excessive immune response, which can cause especially extreme damage to the lung tissue. The research results correspond exactly to this fact. “The genetic risk specifically targets natural killer (NK) cells and T cells,” the US scientists noted. T lymphocytes and NK cells are extremely important for the immune system, but can also cause disease if overactivated.
The researchers believe that a genetic malfunction of these cells is the beginning of life-threatening Covid 19 diseases. Based on the new findings, it could be possible to develop blood tests to identify at-risk individuals in groups of otherwise healthy and younger people.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
