Host genetic resistance to COVID-19

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

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Abstract

In collaboration with Dr. Stephen Chanock a multi-ancestry GWAS was performed on samples from the COVNET consortium which was rapidly created as the COVID-19 pandemic evolved. Samples were collected from 37 sites from around the world for this case-case GWAS of COVID-19 severity and allowed for the comparison of mild COVID-19 cases with moderate/severe disease across different ethnic groups. Data analysis confirmed previously identified loci associated with disease severity. In addition, new loci associated with severe disease were identified at 7p12.3 and 13q31.3. Analyses stratified by age identified a locus at 7q31.2 that associated with moderate/severe disease in cases <50 years of age. Three new ancestry-specific loci were also identified - 10q23.32 associated with moderate/severe disease in individuals of Latin American ancestry, 3p22.1 and 2p23.3 associated with disease severity in African Americans.