The death rate of COVID-19 infection in different SARS-CoV-2 variants was related to C-reactive protein gene polymorphisms.

The serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP) is a significant independent risk factor for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A link was found between serum CRP and genetic diversity within the CRP gene in earlier research. This study examined whether CRP rs1205 and rs1800947 polymorphisms were associated with COVID-19 mortality among various severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. We genotyped CRP rs1205 and rs1800947 polymorphisms in 2023 deceased and 2307 recovered patients using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. There was a significant difference between the recovered and the deceased patients in terms of the minor allele frequency of CRP rs1205 T and rs1800947 G. In all three variants, COVID-19 mortality rates were associated with CRP rs1800947 GG genotype. Furthermore, CRP rs1205 CC and rs1800947 GG genotypes showed higher CRP levels. It was found that the G-T haplotype was prevalent in all SARS-CoV-2 variants. The C-C and C-T haplotypes were statistically significant in Delta and Omicron BA.5 variants, respectively. In conclusion, polymorphisms within the CRP gene may relate to serum CRP levels and mortality among COVID-19 patients. In order to verify the utility of CRP polymorphism correlation in predicting COVID-19 mortality, a replication of these results is needed.

Expression of TRIM56 gene in SARS-CoV-2 variants and its relationship with progression of COVID-19.

Aim: The present study aimed to determine a correlation between differential TRIM56 expression levels and severe infections of COVID-19 between the Alpha, Delta and Omicron BA.5 variants. Materials & methods: This study was performed on 330 COVID-19 patients, including 142 with severe and 188 with mild infections, as well as 160 healthy controls. The levels of TRIM56 gene expression were determined using a qPCR. Results: TRIM56 gene showed significantly lower mRNA expression in the severe and mild groups compared with healthy individuals. Our finding indicated the high and low reduction of TRIM56 mRNA expression in Delta and Omicron BA.5 variant, respectively. Conclusion: Further research is needed to characterize the impact of TRIM proteins on the severity of COVID-19.

Scientists looked at a protein called TRIM that helps fight viruses to see if a specific TRIM protein, TRIM56, was linked to how poorly people became with COVID-19. The study looked at the blood samples of 330 patients and found that COVID-19 patients had less TRIM56 than healthy people, especially those who were particularly ill.

Relationship Between Human FCγRIIA rs1801274 G Allele and Risk of Death Among Different SARS-CoV-2 Variants.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in late 2019 and spread very quickly across the world. Different responses to infections have been related to fragment crystallizable gamma-receptor II alpha (FcγRIIA) polymorphisms. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if FCγRIIA rs1801274 polymorphism was related to COVID-19 mortality among different variants of SARS-CoV-2. The FCγRIIA rs1801274 polymorphism was genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique in 1,734 recovered and 1,450 deceased patients. Deceased patients had significantly higher minor allele frequency of the FCγRIIA rs1801274 G allele than in the recovered cases. The COVID-19 mortality was associated with FCγRIIA rs1801274 GG and AG genotypes in the Delta variant and with FCγRIIA rs1801274 GG genotypes in the Alpha and Omicron BA.5 variants. The reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction Ct values revealed statistically significant differences between individuals with a G allele and those with an A allele. In conclusion, among the several SARS-CoV-2 variants, there may be a correlation between the mortality rate of COVID-19 and the G allele of FCγRIIA rs1801274. To confirm our findings, thorough research is still required.

The impact of ACE2 polymorphisms (rs1978124, rs2285666, and rs2074192) and ACE1 rs1799752 in the mortality rate of COVID-19 in different SARS-CoV-2 variants.

BACKGROUND: Clinical severity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outcomes could be influenced by genetic polymorphisms in angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE1) and ACE2. This study aims to examine three polymorphisms (rs1978124, rs2285666, and rs2074192) on the ACE2 gene and ACE1 rs1799752 (I/D) in patients who have coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with various SARS-CoV-2 variants. METHODS: Based on polymerase chain reaction-based genotyping, four polymorphisms in the ACE1 and ACE2 genes have been identified in 2023 deceased patients and 2307 recovered patients. RESULTS: The ACE2 rs2074192 TT genotype was associated with the COVID-19 mortality in all three variants, whereas the CT genotype was associated with the Omicron BA.5 and Delta variants. ACE2 rs1978124 TC genotypes were related to COVID-19 mortality in the Omicron BA.5 and Alpha variants, but TT genotypes were related to COVID-19 mortality in the Delta variant. It was found that ACE2 rs2285666 CC genotypes were associated with COVID-19 mortality in Delta and Alpha variants, and CT genotypes in Delta variants. There was an association between ACE1 rs1799752 DD and ID genotypes in the Delta variant and COVID-19 mortality, whereas there was no association in the Alpha or Omicron BA.5 variants. In all variants of SARS-CoV-2, CDCT and TDCT haplotypes were more common. In Omicron BA.5 and Delta, CDCC and TDCC haplotypes were linked with COVID-19 mortality. In addition to COVID-19 mortality, the CICT, TICT, and TICC were significantly correlated. CONCLUSION: The ACE1/ACE2 polymorphisms had an impact on COVID-19 infection, and these polymorphisms had different effects in various SARS-CoV-2 variants. To confirm these results, however, more research needs to be conducted.

Relationship between CDX2 rs11568820 and EcoRV rs4516035 polymorphisms on the vitamin D receptor gene with susceptibility to different SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Several studies have revealed that vitamin D deficiency is linked to an increased risk of developing coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). In individuals with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections, vitamin D receptor activation is required to decrease acute respiratory distress syndrome. The purpose of this study was to examine the genotypic distribution and allelic frequencies of CDX2 rs11568820 and EcoRV rs4516035 polymorphisms in COVID-19 patients with various SARS-CoV-2 variants. For genotyping of CDX2 rs11568820 and EcoRV rs4516035 polymorphisms, we used the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique in 1734 and 1450 recovered and deceased patients, respectively. The results indicated the rate of COVID-19 mortality was associated with CDX2 rs11568820 AA and GA genotypes in the Delta variant and with CDX2 rs11568820 AA in the Omicron BA.5 variant, while no association was shown in the Alpha variant. Therefore, the rate of COVID-19 mortality was associated with EcoRV rs4516035 TC and CC genotypes in the Delta variant, while no association was shown in the Alpha and Omicron BA.5 variants. According to our analysis, the T-G haplotype was more common in all SARS-CoV-2 variants. The C-A haplotype was associated with COVID-19 mortality in the Delta and Omicron BA.5 variants, and the T-A haplotype was related to the Alpha variant. In conclusion, the genotype frequencies of the CDX2 rs11568820 and EcoRV rs4516035 polymorphisms between SARS-CoV-2 variants were significantly different between the deceased patients and recovered patients. However, more studies should be done to confirm the results.

Interferon-Induced Transmembrane Protein 3 rs34481144 C/T Genotype and Clinical Parameters Related to Progression of COVID-19.

Recent research has associated the interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 gene (IFITM3) with the outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), although the findings are contradictory. This study aimed to determine the relationship between IFITM3 gene rs34481144 polymorphism and clinical parameters with COVID-19 mortality. The tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction assay was used to analyze IFITM3 rs34481144 polymorphism in 1,149 deceased and 1,342 recovered patients. The clinical parameters were extracted from the patients' medical records. In this study, the frequency of IFITM3 rs34481144 CT genotypes (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.23-1.76, P < 0.0001) in both sexes was significantly higher in deceased patients than in recovered patients. Moreover, IFITM3 rs34481144 TT genotypes (OR 3.38, 95% CI 1.05-10.87, P < 0.0001) in women were significantly associated with COVID-19 mortality. The multivariable logistic regression model results indicated that mean age (P < 0.001), alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.005), alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein (P < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein (P < 0.001), fasting blood glucose (P = 0.010), creatinine (P < 0.001), uric acid (P < 0.001), C-reactive protein (P = 0.004), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (P < 0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P < 0.001), and real-time PCR Ct values (P < 0.001) were linked with increased COVID-19 death rates. In conclusion, IFITM3 rs34481144 gene polymorphism was linked to the mortality of COVID-19, with the rs34481144-T allele being especially important for mortality. Further studies are needed to confirm the results of this study.

Role of FokI rs2228570 and Tru9I rs757343 Polymorphisms in the Mortality of Patients Infected with Different Variants of SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Low vitamin D levels are associated with the severity of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms, such as Tru9I rs757343 and FokI rs2228570, have been suggested to be potential risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes. This study investigated how Tru9I rs757343 and FokI rs2228570 polymorphisms influenced the mortality rate of COVID-19 in relation to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. METHODS: The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay was used to genotype Tru9I rs757343 and FokI rs2228570 genotypes in 1,734 recovered and 1,450 deceased patients. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that the high mortality rate was correlated with FokI rs2228570 TT genotype in all three variants but was much higher in the Omicron BA.5 variant than in the Alpha and Delta variants. Furthermore, in patients infected with the Delta variant, FokI rs2228570 CT genotype was more highly correlated with the mortality rate compared to other variants. Thus, a high mortality rate was correlated with the Tru9I rs757343 AA genotype in the Omicron BA.5 variant, whereas this relationship was not observed in the other two variants. The T-A haplotype was related to COVID-19 mortality in all three variants, but its effect was more pronounced in the Alpha variant. Moreover, the T-G haplotype was significantly associated with all three variants. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that the effects of Tru9I rs757343 and FokI rs2228570 polymorphisms were related to SARS-CoV-2 variants. However, further studies are still required to validate our findings.

Association of ApaI rs7975232 and BsmI rs1544410 in clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients according to different SARS-CoV-2 variants.

A growing body of research has shown how important vitamin D is in the prognosis of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). The vitamin D receptor is necessary for vitamin D to perform its effects, and its polymorphisms can help in this regard. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether the association of ApaI rs7975232 and BsmI rs1544410 polymorphisms in different severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants were influential in the outcomes of COVID-19. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was utilized to determine the different genotypes of ApaI rs7975232 and BsmI rs1544410 in 1734 and 1450 patients who had recovered and deceased, respectively. Our finding revealed that the ApaI rs7975232 AA genotype in the Delta and Omicron BA.5 and the CA genotype in the Delta and Alpha variants were associated with higher mortality rate. Also, the BsmI rs1544410 GG genotype in the Delta and Omicron BA.5 and the GA genotype in the Delta and Alpha variants were related to a higher mortality rate. The A-G haplotype was linked with COVID-19 mortality in both the Alpha and Delta variants. The A-A haplotype for the Omicron BA.5 variants was statistically significant. In conclusion, our research revealed a connection between SARS-CoV-2 variants and the impacts of ApaI rs7975232 and BsmI rs1544410 polymorphisms. However, more research is still needed to substantiate our findings.

Association between interleukin-10 gene polymorphisms (rs1800871, rs1800872, and rs1800896) and severity of infection in different SARS-CoV-2 variants.

BACKGROUND: Polymorphisms in the interleukin-10 (IL10) gene have been linked to the severity of the patients infected with the viral infections. This study aimed to assess if the IL10 gene polymorphisms rs1800871, rs1800872, and rs1800896 were linked to coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) mortality in different severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants in the Iranian population. METHODS: For genotyping IL10 rs1800871, rs1800872, and rs1800896, this study used the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method in 1,734 recovered and 1,450 deceased patients. RESULTS: The obtained finding indicated IL10 rs1800871 CC genotype in the Alpha variant and CT genotype in the Delta variant had a relationship with COVID-19 mortality; however, there was no association between rs1800871 polymorphism and the Omicron BA.5 variant. The COVID-19 mortality rate was associated with IL10 rs1800872 TT genotype in the Alpha and Omicron BA.5 variants and GT in the Alpha and Delta variants. The COVID-19 mortality rate was associated with IL10 rs1800896 GG and AG genotypes in the Delta and Omicron BA.5; nevertheless, there was no association between rs1800896 polymorphism with the Alpha variant. According to the obtained data, the GTA haplotype was the most common of haplotype in different SARS-CoV-2 variants. The TCG haplotype was related to COVID-19 mortality in the Alpha, Delta and Omicron BA.5 variants. CONCLUSION: The IL10 polymorphisms had an impact on COVID-19 infection, and these polymorphisms had different effects in various SARS-CoV-2 variants. To verify the obtained results, further studies should be conducted on various ethnic groups.

Evaluating the Role of BglI rs739837 and TaqI rs731236 Polymorphisms in Vitamin D Receptor with SARS-CoV-2 Variants Mortality Rate.

A lack of vitamin D is a potential risk factor for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Variants in the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene, such as BglI rs739837 and TaqI rs731236, are associated with various viral infection progressions. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the BglI rs739837 and TaqI rs731236 polymorphisms and the mortality rate of COVID-19 based on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. The genotyping of BglI rs739837 and TaqI rs731236 genotypes was analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 1734 improved and 1450 deceased patients positive for SARS-CoV-2. In this study, the rate of COVID-19 mortality was correlated with TaqI rs731236 TC and CC in the α variant and with TaqI rs731236 CC in the Delta variant, whereas no relationship was found in the Omicron BA.5 variant. In addition, the rate of COVID-19 mortality was associated with BglI rs739837 GT and TT in the Omicron BA.5 variant, while there was no association between BglI rs739837 and COVID-19 mortality in the α and Delta variants. The TG haplotype was more common in all SARS-CoV-2 variants, while the CT haplotype was associated with COVID-19 mortality in the Delta and Omicron BA.5 variants. In conclusion, this study indicated that the impacts of BglI rs739837 and TaqI rs731236 polymorphisms were related to SARS-CoV-2 variants. However, further research is still needed to approve our findings.

rs12329760 Polymorphism in Transmembrane Serine Protease 2 Gene and Risk of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Mortality.

The protease produced by the transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) gene enhances viral infections and has been linked to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pathogenesis. Therefore, this study evaluated the association between TMPRSS2 and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality. TMPRSS2 rs12329760 polymorphism was genotyped using the tetraprimer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction method in 592 dead and 693 improved patients. In the current study, the frequency of TMPRSS2 rs12329760 CC than TT genotypes was significantly lower in improved patients than in dead patients. According to the findings of the multivariate logistic regression test, higher levels of mean age, creatinine, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, aspartate aminotransferase, lower levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, uric acid, and real-time PCR Ct values and TMPRSS2 rs12329760 CC genotype were observed to be associated with increased COVID-19 mortality rates. In conclusion, the TMPRSS2 rs12329760 CC genotype was a polymorphism linked to a significantly higher incidence of severe COVID-19. Further studies are required to corroborate the obtained findings.

ABO rs657152 and Blood Groups Are as Predictor Factors of COVID-19 Mortality in the Iranian Population.

Several studies have discovered a relationship between specific blood types, genetic variations of the ABO gene, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between ABO rs657152 polymorphisms and ABO blood groups with COVID-19 mortality. The tetraprimer amplification refractory mutation system, polymerase chain reaction method, was used for ABO rs657152 polymorphism genotyping in 1,211 dead and 1,442 improved patients. In the current study, the frequency of ABO rs657152 AA than CC genotypes was significantly higher in dead patients than in improved patients. Our findings indicated that blood type A was associated with the highest risk of COVID-19 mortality compared to other blood groups, and patients with blood type O have a lower risk of infection, suggesting that blood type O may be a protective factor against COVID-19 mortality. Multivariate logistic regression test indicated that higher COVID-19 mortality rates were linked with alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, high density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, fasting blood glucose, uric acid, creatinine, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, real-time PCR Ct values, ABO blood groups, and ABO rs657152 AA genotype. In conclusion, the AA genotype of ABO rs657152 and blood type A were associated with a considerably increased frequency of COVID-19 mortality. Further research is necessary to validate the obtained results.

Increased risk of COVID-19 mortality rate in IFITM3 rs6598045 G allele carriers infected by SARS-CoV-2 delta variant.

BACKGROUND: The interferon-induced transmembrane-protein 3 (IFITM3) is a vital component of the immune system's defense against viral infection. Variants in the IFITM3 gene have been linked to changes in expression and the risk of severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to investigate whether IFITM3 rs6598045, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) cycle threshold (Ct) values, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants are associated with an increased mortality rate of COVID-19. METHODS: The genotyping of IFITM3 rs6598045 polymorphism was analyzed using the amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction in 1342 recovered and 1149 deceased patients positive for SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: In this study, IFITM3 rs6598045 G allele as minor allele frequency was significantly more common in the deceased patients than in the recovered ones. Furthermore, the highest mortality rates were observed in Delta variant and lowest qPCR Ct values. COVID-19 mortality was associated with IFITM3 rs6598045 GG and AG in Delta variant and IFITM3 rs6598045 AG in Alpha variant. A statistically significant difference was observed in the qPCR Ct values between individuals with GG and AG genotypes and those with an AA genotype. CONCLUSION: A possible correlation was observed between the mortality rate of COVID-19, the G allele of IFITM3 rs6598045, and SARS-CoV-2 variants. However, large-scale research is still required to validate our results.

Comparison of the Antibody Responses Following Vaccination with AstraZeneca and Sinopharm.

BACKGROUND: Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent Coronavirus 2 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). OBJECTIVES: To compare the antibody response of healthy individuals vaccinated with either the AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) or the Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) vaccine, in those who had no prior infection with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: Thirty seven participants were included, of which 17 were administered the AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) vaccine, while 20 were given the Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) vaccine. SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody and anti-receptor-binding domain (RBD) IgG levels were checked 4 weeks after giving the first and the second dose of either vaccine using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. RESULTS: The AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) vaccine exhibited a higher levels of anti-(RBD) IgG compared with the Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) in both the first (14.51 µg/ml vs. 1.160 µg/ml) and the second (46.68 µg/ml vs. 11.43 µg/ml) doses. About neutralizing Abs, the titer of the antibody was higher in the AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) recipients than in the Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) subjects after the first (7.77 µg/ml vs. 1.79 µg/ml, p < 0.0001) and the second dose (10. 36 µg/ml vs. 4.88 µg/ml, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Recipients vaccinated with two doses of the AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) had superior quantitative antibody levels than Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV)-vaccinated subjects. These data suggest that a booster dose may be needed for the Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) recipients, to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

Comparing the expression levels of tripartite motif containing 28 in mild and severe COVID-19 infection.

BACKGROUND: Tripartite motif-containing 28 (TRIM28) is an impressive regulator of the epigenetic control of the antiviral immune response. This study evaluated if the differential expression of TRIM28 correlates with the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. METHODS: A total of 330 COVID-19 patients, including 188 mild and 142 severe infections, and 160 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to determine the expression levels of TRIM28 in the studied patients. RESULTS: TRIM28 mRNA levels were significantly lower in both groups of patients versus the control group and in the severe group indicated further reduction in comparison to mild infection. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the mean age, lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), cholesterol, lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and PCR cycle threshold (Ct) value and higher levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and differential expression of TRIM28 were linked to the severity of COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSION: The results of this study proved that the downregulation of TRIM28 might be associated with the severity of COVID-19 infection. Further studies are required to determine the association between the COVID-19 infection severity and TRIM family proteins.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 rs2285666 polymorphism and clinical parameters as the determinants of COVID-19 severity in Iranian population.

Host genetic factors may be correlated with the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) plays a vital role in viral cell entrance. The current study aimed to evaluate the association of ACE2 rs2285666 polymorphism and clinical parameters with COVID-19 mortality. The ACE2 rs2285666 polymorphism was genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 556 recovered and 522 dead patients. In this study, the frequency of ACE2 rs2285666 CC was significantly higher than TT genotype in dead patients. The multivariate logistic regression analysis results showed that the higher levels of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein and the low levels of uric acid, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, real-time PCR Ct values, and ACE2 rs2285666 CC genotype were associated with increased mortality rates after COVID-19. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated a possible link between COVID-19 mortality, clinical parameters, and ACE2 rs2285666 CC. Further research is required to confirm these results.

Impact of interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 gene rs12252 polymorphism on COVID-19 mortality.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) plays a critical role in the adaptive and innate immune response by preventing membrane hemifusion between the host and viral cell cytoplasm. This study aimed to evaluate whether IFITM3 rs12252 polymorphism is related to an increased mortality rate of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: The IFITM3 rs12252 polymorphism was genotyped using the amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) in 548 dead and 630 improved patients positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). RESULTS: In the present study, the minor allele frequency of IFITM3 rs12252 (C) was significantly more frequent in dead patients than in improved cases. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the lower lipid profiles, PCR Ct value, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and uric acid and higher levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), liver enzymes, and creatinine, and IFITM3 rs12252 CC genotypes were related to the COVID-19 infection mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our findings suggested a possible link between the mortality of COVID-19 infection, the CC genotypes of IFITM3 rs12252, and clinical parameters. Further investigations are required worldwide to prove the link relationship of COVID-19 mortality with host genetic factors.

The association between interferon lambda 3 and 4 gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms and the recovery of COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: The recent pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has elevated several clinical and scientific questions. These include how host genetic factors influence the pathogenesis and disease susceptibility. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of interferon lambda 3 and 4 (IFNL3/4) gene polymorphisms and clinical parameters on the resistance and susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. METHODS: A total of 750 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients (375 survivors and 375 nonsurvivors) were included in this study. All single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on IFNL3 (rs12979860, rs8099917, and rs12980275) and IFNL4 rs368234815 were genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. RESULTS: In this study, a higher viral load (low PCR Ct value) was shown in nonsurvivor patients. In survivor patients, the frequency of the favorable genotypes of IFNL3/4 SNPs (rs12979860 CC, rs12980275 AA, rs8099917 TT, and rs368234815 TT/TT) was significantly higher than in nonsurvivor patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis has shown that a higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and PCR Ct value, and lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and also IFNL3 rs12979860 TT, IFNL3 rs8099917 GG, IFNL3 rs12980275 GG, and IFNL4 rs368234815 ∆G/∆G genotypes were associated with the severity of COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study proved that the severity of COVID-19 infection was associated with clinical parameters and unfavorable genotypes of IFNL3/IFNL4 SNPs. Further studies in different parts of the world are needed to show the relationship between severity of COVID-19 infection and host genetic factors.

An updated systematic review on the association between atmospheric particulate matter pollution and prevalence of SARS-CoV-2.

On December 31, 2019, the novel human coronavirus (COVID-19) was emerged in Wuhan city, China, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). There is a much controversial debate about the major pathways of transmission of the virus including airborne route. The present work is a systematic literature review (SR) aimed to assess the association of air pollution especially particulate matter pollution in the transmission and acceleration of the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The systematic literature search was performed to identify the available studies published through October 31, 2020 concerning the transmission of the disease and particulate matter air pollution in four international electronic databases. From the results of the included studies, there are suggestions that atmospheric particulate matter pollution plays a role in the SARS-CoV-2 spread, but the literature has not confirmed that it enhances the transmission although some studies have proposed that atmospheric particulate matter can operate as a virus carrier, promoting its spread. Therefore, although PM concentration alone cannot be effective in spreading the COVID-19 disease, other meteorological and environmental parameters including size of particles in ambient air, weather conditions, wind speed, relative humidity (RH) and temperature are involved. Therefore, it is necessary to consider all influencing parameters to prevent the spreading of COVID-19 disease. More studies are required to strengthen the scientific evidence and support more definitive conclusions.