We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBETECH PUBLISHING LLC

Download Mobile App





Scientists Identify Eight Genetic "Super-Variants" that Increase Risk of Dying From COVID-19

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 13 Nov 2020
Researchers have uncovered a set of eight genetic “super-variants” that strongly influences mortality risk in COVID-19 patients.

The finding was made by researchers from the biostatistics department of Yale University (New Haven, CT, USA) through an analytically “enhanced” genome-wide association study (GWAS). More...
COVID-19 severity has been found to be highly heterogeneous with some patients exhibiting no symptoms while others become disabled or die. Additionally, males and some ethnic groups appear to be at increased risk of death from COVID-19, implying that host genetic factors may influence individual risk of death. Using a potentially powerful new analysis technique, the Yale researchers discovered the reason behind the sharp variation in the outcomes of COVID-19 patients even after receiving identical treatment.

The researchers first looked for variants associated with mortality through a GWAS using data from 1,778 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Out of these patients, 25.03% (445) ultimately died. Since the first analysis did not identify any significant variants, the Yale researchers adopted the concept of super-variant for the detection of genetic factors in order to enhance the power of GWAS and account for possible multi-loci interactions.

In the second type of analysis, the researchers looked at more than 18,600,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), representing 146 deaths and 402 survivors. Using local ranking and aggregation methods, they identified the significant super-variants, and then applied random forest technique to rank the SNPs in terms of their importance. The team then went on to aggregate the top SNPs in each set into super-variants. The researchers adopted this approach as development of COVID-19 is related to both environmental exposure and genetics, although genetics could have a greater influence on mortality. Additionally, since COVID-19 is a complex syndrome, the outcomes can involve the interaction of multiple genetic factors.

The researchers discovered eight “super-variants” that were consistently identified across multiple replications as susceptibility loci for COVID-19 mortality. Super-variants are “a combination of alleles in multiple loci in analogue to a gene,” according to the researchers. In contrast to a gene, which represents a specific region on a chromosome, the loci contributing to a super-variant are not restricted by to any particular location in the genome. The researchers discovered the super-variants on Chromosomes 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 16 and 17. These Chromosomes contain variants and genes related to cilia dysfunctions (DNAH7 and CLUAP1), cardiovascular disease (DES and SPEG), thromboembolic disease (STXBP5), mitochondrial dysfunctions (TOMM7), and innate immune system function (WSB1). The researchers hope that these findings could provide timely evidence and clues for better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of COVID-19 and the genetic basis of heterogeneous susceptibility, with potential impact on new therapeutic options.

Related Links:
Yale University


Gold Member
STI Test
Vivalytic Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Array
Gold Member
POC Blood Gas Analyzer
Stat Profile Prime Plus
New
High Pressure Balloon Catheter
UroMax Ultra
New
High-Precision QA Tool
DEXA Phantom
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to HospiMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Hospital Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of HospiMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of HospiMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of HospiMedica International in digital format
  • Free HospiMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Critical Care

view channel
The intelligent wound dressing consists of a granular hydrogel (Photo courtesy of Apoorv Singh/ETH Zurich)

Intelligent Wound Dressing Reduces Inflammation and Promotes Healing

Chronic wounds, especially those caused by diabetes or circulatory disorders, are a widespread medical problem that burden healthcare systems. Patients often suffer from open skin lesions that fail to... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The revolutionary automatic IV-Line flushing device set for launch in the EU and US in 2026 (Photo courtesy of Droplet IV)

Revolutionary Automatic IV-Line Flushing Device to Enhance Infusion Care

More than 80% of in-hospital patients receive intravenous (IV) therapy. Every dose of IV medicine delivered in a small volume (<250 mL) infusion bag should be followed by subsequent flushing to ensure... Read more

Business

view channel
Image: A research collaboration aims to further advance findings in human genomics research in cardiovascular diseases (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Bayer and Broad Institute Extend Research Collaboration to Develop New Cardiovascular Therapies

A research collaboration will focus on the joint discovery of novel therapeutic approaches based on findings in human genomics research related to cardiovascular diseases. Bayer (Berlin, Germany) and... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.