Long-Covid, a genetic variant increasing the risk

A genetic variant of SARS-CoV-2, associated with an approximate 60% increase in the risk of Long Covid, has been identified through research conducted by an international team as part of the Long Covid Host Genetics Initiative collaboration. The findings were published in the journal Nature Genetics. This global study analyzed genetic data from 6,450 individuals experiencing Long Covid, comparing it with data from over one million healthy participants across 24 studies in 16 countries. The finding was also confirmed by an independent analysis of a further group of 9,500 cases. This discovery reinforces the hypothesis that a genetic predisposition may contribute to persistent post-infection symptoms in certain individuals. According to Hanna Ollila of the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland and a researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital, who co-led the study, genetic studies are essential for the determination of disease risk factors.