Large-Scale Genetic Screening Could Identify Populations Vulnerable To COVID-19
By HospiMedica International staff writers Posted on 19 Aug 2020 |
Illustration
French researchers have proposed large-scale genetic screening to identify populations vulnerable to COVID-19, according to a Reuters report.
In their hypothesis, the researchers have described two opposing enzyme processes that take place when the coronavirus enters the human body. One process contributes to the infection by helping the virus break into cells, while the other - an opposite process - protects the body by keeping the virus away from its target cells.
According to the researchers, genetic differences among individuals affect the severity of the infection and the strength of the protection mechanisms, with some people having genes that predispose them to infection while others have genes that strengthen the body's protective process. If a genetic risk score were developed based on the information in the genetic databases analyzed by the researchers, then the populations at risk for severe COVID-19 "could be characterized by specific genetic profiles," study co-author Gerard Milano of Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Center (Nice, France) told Reuters.
Related Links:
Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Center
In their hypothesis, the researchers have described two opposing enzyme processes that take place when the coronavirus enters the human body. One process contributes to the infection by helping the virus break into cells, while the other - an opposite process - protects the body by keeping the virus away from its target cells.
According to the researchers, genetic differences among individuals affect the severity of the infection and the strength of the protection mechanisms, with some people having genes that predispose them to infection while others have genes that strengthen the body's protective process. If a genetic risk score were developed based on the information in the genetic databases analyzed by the researchers, then the populations at risk for severe COVID-19 "could be characterized by specific genetic profiles," study co-author Gerard Milano of Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Center (Nice, France) told Reuters.
Related Links:
Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Center
Latest COVID-19 News
- Low-Cost System Detects SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Hospital Air Using High-Tech Bubbles
- World's First Inhalable COVID-19 Vaccine Approved in China
- COVID-19 Vaccine Patch Fights SARS-CoV-2 Variants Better than Needles
- Blood Viscosity Testing Can Predict Risk of Death in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
- ‘Covid Computer’ Uses AI to Detect COVID-19 from Chest CT Scans
- MRI Lung-Imaging Technique Shows Cause of Long-COVID Symptoms
- Chest CT Scans of COVID-19 Patients Could Help Distinguish Between SARS-CoV-2 Variants
- Specialized MRI Detects Lung Abnormalities in Non-Hospitalized Long COVID Patients
- AI Algorithm Identifies Hospitalized Patients at Highest Risk of Dying From COVID-19
- Sweat Sensor Detects Key Biomarkers That Provide Early Warning of COVID-19 and Flu
- Study Assesses Impact of COVID-19 on Ventilation/Perfusion Scintigraphy
- CT Imaging Study Finds Vaccination Reduces Risk of COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Embolism
- Third Day in Hospital a ‘Tipping Point’ in Severity of COVID-19 Pneumonia
- Longer Interval Between COVID-19 Vaccines Generates Up to Nine Times as Many Antibodies
- AI Model for Monitoring COVID-19 Predicts Mortality Within First 30 Days of Admission
- AI Predicts COVID Prognosis at Near-Expert Level Based Off CT Scans