UNRAVELING THE ENIGMA: GENETIC VARIANTS AND ASYMPTOMATIC COVID-19 INFECTIONS

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, an intriguing puzzle has emerged - why do some individuals remain asymptomatic even when infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, while others suffer severe illness? A groundbreaking study now suggests that the answer lies within our genetic makeup.

Researchers from around the globe have delved into the human genome to explore this phenomenon, and their findings are both fascinating and promising. It appears that certain genetic variants within the immune system could play a crucial role in determining whether an individual develops symptoms or not.

The study, which encompassed a diverse population sample, identified specific genetic markers associated with asymptomatic COVID-19 infections. These genetic variants appear to bolster the body's ability to mount a robust defence against the virus, effectively preventing it from causing severe illness. Consequently, individuals carrying these variants may unknowingly harbour the virus while remaining entirely symptom-free.

Understanding the genetic underpinnings of asymptomatic infections is a significant leap forward in the fight against the virus. This newfound knowledge could pave the way for personalized medicine approaches, allowing healthcare professionals to identify individuals at higher risk for severe illness and target preventive measures accordingly.

Moreover, this study underscores the importance of genetics in influencing disease outcomes and highlights the significance of ongoing research in this field. As we continue to navigate the pandemic, genetic insights may hold the key to unlocking further mysteries surrounding COVID-19 and future viral infections.

 

In conclusion, the discovery of genetic variants linked to asymptomatic COVID-19 infections offers hope for a deeper comprehension of the disease and its varying impact on individuals. Armed with this knowledge, we inch closer to a more resilient and proactive approach to combating the virus. While the road ahead may still be uncertain, science continues to shine a light on the path forward, guiding us towards a safer and healthier future.

According to research, at least 20% of Covid infected people do not experience any symptoms or continue to be asymptomatic. Variations in the genes that encode immune response-related proteins may be the reason why some SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals show no symptoms.

The immune system uses these proteins, which are encoded by the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, to recognise and differentiate healthy cells from infectious ones. According to research, 20% or more of Covid infected people do not experience any symptoms or continue to be asymptomatic.

 

·       The HLA system, which is vital to immunity and extremely variable across people, may have particular variations making some people more resistant to or sensitive to COVID, the researchers in this US-Australian collaborative study hypothesised.

·       According to a study published in the journal Nature, investigating asymptomatic infection may help us better understand the characteristics of the immune system that encourage quick viral clearance.

       

·       The researchers enlisted 29,947 participants to take part in a smartphone-based trial that was meant to follow COVID-19 symptoms and results to determine if an HLA variant would make some people more likely to experience asymptomatic Covid infection. For the purpose of genetic HLA profiling, all of them had their DNA sequenced.

     

·       A total of 1,428 unvaccinated people reported having the SARS-CoV-2 infection, and 136 of them said they had no symptoms.

·       After infection, it was discovered that one in five people who showed no symptoms carried the HLA-B*15:01 gene. The study discovered that individuals with two copies of this variant had a greater than eight-fold higher likelihood of remaining asymptomatic than those with other HLA variants.

        

·       "We posited that because of their immune system's quick and potent response, the virus would be destroyed before generating any symptoms. Jill Hollenbach, a professor at the University of California San Francisco in the US, compared it to having an army that already knew what to look for and could identify from the uniform that these were the evil people. Researchers discovered in a different section of the study that people with HLA-B*15:01 who had never been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 had T cells, a kind of immune cell, that were reactive to SARS-CoV-2 protein fragments that shared genetic sequences with other seasonal coronaviruses. This result suggested that individuals with HLA-B*15:01 who had previously been exposed to seasonal cold viruses already had immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and could quickly get rid of the virus before symptoms appeared.

    

·       Researchers hypothesised that this was caused by pre-pandemic individuals' T cells, which were able to recognise viral particles from earlier coronaviruses and developed an immunological memory of those earlier coronaviruses.

·        

·       Due to the significant similarity between SARS-CoV-2 and those coronaviruses, these memory T cells detect it and promptly destroy it. The army would therefore be able to recognise the evil guys even if they changed their clothing by their footwear or even a tattoo on their arms. According to Danillo Augusto, an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in the US, this is how our immunological memory keeps us healthy.