Analysis of genetic variants determinant for infection and evolution of the clinical picture in young adults with COVID-19

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus (SARS-CoV-2) has been causing a pandemic unprecedented in human history. In about 3.5 months of the disease (COVID-19), this virus has already infected more than 2.6 million people, causing more than 178 thousand deaths. Initially, it was believed that the prognosis of the disease would be poor almost exclusively for people in the so-called risk group (the elderly or people with pre-existing chronic diseases). However, we are seeing an increasing number of fatal cases in which the victims are young adults (<55 years of age) and apparently healthy. In the USA, the country most affected by the disease, people in this age group represent 51% of ICU admissions and, of these, S die as a result of the disease. Additionally, factors such as race and gender seem to have an importance in relation to the risk to COVID-19. Therefore, if analyzed from a broad point of view, such evidence suggests that there are genetic factors that determine the course of the infection and the response capacity of each organism to SARS-CoV-2. In this project, through DNA sequencing and computer analysis, we will study genetic variations in three groups of young adult patients infected with SARS-CoV-2: patients who have developed mild, severe or critical symptoms of the disease. In a first work front, we will look for genetic variations potentially associated with such symptoms. We will analyze variations in all coding genes and also in genes known to be involved in viral infection, such as ACE2 and TMPRSS2. On a second front, we will type the patients' HLA alleles and look for a relationship between these variations and a response (excessive or attenuated) to the virus. As a final result, we hope to identify a set of genetic variants associated with each group of patients. These results can contribute to predict individuals more (or less) vulnerable to the disease and to understand the molecular mechanisms of action of the virus, contributing to the development of treatments and effective ways to combat SARS-CoV-2. (AU) These results can contribute to predict individuals more (or less) vulnerable to the disease and to understand the molecular mechanisms of action of the virus, contributing to the development of treatments and effective ways to combat SARS-CoV-2. (AU) These results can contribute to predict individuals more (or less) vulnerable to the disease and to understand the molecular mechanisms of action of the virus, contributing to the development of treatments and effective ways to combat SARS-CoV-2. (AU)