Disparities in COVID-19 severities and casualties across ethnic groups around the globe and patterns of ACE2 and PIR variants

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) mediated Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has affected millions of individuals around all corners of the globe. Symptoms and severities of infection with this highly contagious virus vary among individuals and there is disparity in the number of COVID-19-related casualties across different ethnic groups. The primary receptor for SARS-CoV-2 entry into the host cells is angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Certain variants of ACE2 are known to be associated with COVID-19 comorbidities such as hypertension, cardiovascular complications, diabetes, chronic lung disease, etc. In this study, we looked into the geographic distribution of disease-associated variants of ACE2 as well as closely located PIR gene to explore any possible correlation with the disparities in COVID-19 severities and casualties across ethnic groups. Frequencies of the ACE2 variants associated with COVID-19 comorbidities are higher in the European and the admixed American populations. These variants are also present with stronger pairwise linkage disequilibrium (LD) in the European and the admixed American populations. On the other hand, the variants with protective role are more prevalent in the East and the South Asian populations. Strong pairwise LD exists among the activity modifying (modifier) variants in the PIR and ACE2 genes only in the European super-population. Absence of these PIR variants in the South Asian population may contribute to the overall lower COVID-19 case fatality rates (CFR) despite the dense population in this region.

Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalisation in children and adolescents in Norway: a nationwide population-based study

“…The current data suggest that a skewed distribution of country of origin among hospitalised children was driven by differences in the spread of infection in society and not by susceptibility to severe disease, in line with a recent US study on risk factors for severe COVID-19 20. In adults, genetic susceptibility clearly influences the severity of COVID-19 infection,21 22 which is attributed to gene variants that are differentially distributed across ethnic groups 23. Such a genetic susceptibility remains to be proven for severe COVID-19 disease among children and adolescents.…”

“… 20 In adults, genetic susceptibility clearly influences the severity of COVID-19 infection, 21 22 which is attributed to gene variants that are differentially distributed across ethnic groups. 23 Such a genetic susceptibility remains to be proven for severe COVID-19 disease among children and adolescents.…”

Periodically aperiodic pattern of SARS-CoV-2 mutations underpins the uncertainty of its origin and evolution

“…Of these, observation questions if there is any ethnic correlation with SARS-CoV-2 infection? Ethnic/racial disparities in the SARS-CoV-2 infection, incidence, and COVID-19 severity and deaths are reported ( Hollis et al, 2021 ; McCoy et al, 2020 ; Vahidy et al, 2020 ; Shoily et al, 2021 ; Sze et al, 2020 ). In the context of correlation between ethnic/racial origin and SARS-CoV-2 infections the interaction between the S protein and the ACE2-solute carrier family 6-member 19 (SLC6A19) dimer was investigated applying a quantitative dynamics cross-correlation matrix ( Gupta et al, 2020 ).…”

Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalisation in children and adolescents in Norway: A nationwide population-based study

“…18 In adults, genetic susceptibility clearly influences the severity of covid-19 infection, 19, 20 which is attributed to gene variants that are differentially distributed across ethnic groups. 21 Such a genetic susceptibility remains to be proven for severe covid-19 disease among children and adolescents.…”