Innate Immune Gene Polymorphisms and COVID-19 Prognosis
Author:
Bakaros Evangelos1ORCID, Voulgaridi Ioanna2ORCID, Paliatsa Vassiliki1, Gatselis Nikolaos3ORCID, Germanidis Georgios4ORCID, Asvestopoulou Evangelia1, Alexiou Stamatia1, Botsfari Elli1, Lygoura Vasiliki3, Tsachouridou Olga4, Mimtsoudis Iordanis4, Tseroni Maria5, Sarrou Styliani1ORCID, Mouchtouri Varvara A.2, Dadouli Katerina2ORCID, Kalala Fani1, Metallidis Simeon4, Dalekos George3, Hadjichristodoulou Christos2ORCID, Speletas Matthaios1ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Department of Immunology & Histocompatibility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece 2. Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece 3. Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, National Expertise Center of Greece in Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Full Member of the European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), General University Hospital of Larissa, 41110 Larissa, Greece 4. First Internal Medicine Department, Infectious Diseases Division, AHEPA Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece 5. National Public Health Organization, 15123 Athens, Greece
Abstract
COVID-19 is characterized by a heterogeneous clinical presentation and prognosis. Risk factors contributing to the development of severe disease include old age and the presence of comorbidities. However, the genetic background of the host has also been recognized as an important determinant of disease prognosis. Considering the pivotal role of innate immunity in the control of SARS-CoV-2 infection, we analyzed the possible contribution of several innate immune gene polymorphisms (including TLR2-rs5743708, TLR4-rs4986790, TLR4-rs4986791, CD14-rs2569190, CARD8-rs1834481, IL18-rs2043211, and CD40-rs1883832) in disease severity and prognosis. A total of 249 individuals were enrolled and further divided into five (5) groups, according to the clinical progression scale provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) (asymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe, and critical). We identified that elderly patients with obesity and/or diabetes mellitus were more susceptible to developing pneumonia and respiratory distress syndrome after SARS-CoV-2 infection, while the IL18-rs1834481 polymorphism was an independent risk factor for developing pneumonia. Moreover, individuals carrying either the TLR2-rs5743708 or the TLR4-rs4986791 polymorphisms exhibited a 3.6- and 2.5-fold increased probability for developing pneumonia and a more severe disease, respectively. Our data support the notion that the host’s genetic background can significantly affect COVID-19 clinical phenotype, also suggesting that the IL18-rs1834481, TLR2-rs5743708, and TLR4-rs4986791 polymorphisms may be used as molecular predictors of COVID-19 clinical phenotype.
Funder
standard budget provided by the Research Committee of the University of Thessaly
Subject
Virology,Infectious Diseases
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