A systematic review and meta-analysis of host genetic factors associated with influenza severity

Abstract

Background The severity of influenza disease can range from mild symptoms to severe respiratory failure and can partly be explained by host genetic factors that predisposes the host to severe influenza. Here, we aimed to summarize the current state of evidence that host genetic variants play a role in the susceptibility to severe influenza infection by conducting a systematic review and performing a meta-analysis for all markers with at least three or more data entries. Results A total of 34 primary human genetic association studies were identified that investigated a total of 20 different genes. The only significant pooled ORs were retrieved for the rs12252 polymorphism: an overall OR of 1.52 (95% CI [1.06–2.17]) for the rs12252-C allele compared to the rs12252-T allele. A stratified analysis by ethnicity revealed opposite effects in different populations. Conclusion With exception for the rs12252 polymorphism, we could not identify specific genetic polymorphisms to be associated with severe influenza infection in a pooled meta-analysis. This advocates for the use of large, hypothesis-free, genome-wide association studies that account for the polygenic nature and the interactions with other host, pathogen and environmental factors.

Towards the Development of a Cream with Antiviral Properties Targeting Both the Influenza A Virus and SARS-CoV-2

“…Human-tohuman transmission of influenza mainly occurs through the air via respiratory droplets or aerosols, but it can also be contracted via contact with contaminated surfaces. IAV infection causes a spectrum of clinical symptoms, from a benign upper respiratory tract infection to fulminant pneumonia, which mostly strikes the elderly and immunocompromised patients [3]. SARS-CoV-2-in addition to MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-1-belongs to the beta coronavirus family and is considered to have emerged from bats and spread to humans very recently.…”

Total Osteopontin and Its Isoform OPN4 Are Differently Expressed in Respiratory Samples during Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Infection and Progression

“…During the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic, a substantial number of healthy adults were severely affected by the infection [ 13 ], which may be partly explained by pathogen virulence factors [ 14 ]. Despite that, the genetic variation in human pivotal genes involved in the antiviral immune response and its implication in IAV poor disease outcomes has been investigated [ 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”