Purpose of review
This review is meant to describe the genetic associations with pediatric severe COVID-19 pneumonia and the postinfectious complication of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Multiple genetic approaches have been carried out, primarily in adults with extrapolation to children, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS), whole exome and whole genome sequencing (WES/WGS), and target gene analyses.
Recent findings
Data from adults with severe COVID-19 have identified genomic regions (human leukocyte antigen locus and 3p21.31) as potential risk factors. Genes related to viral entry into cells (ABO blood group locus,
ACE2, TMPRS22
) have been linked to severe COVID-19 patients by GWAS and target gene approaches. Type I interferon (e.g.
IFNAR2
) and antiviral gene (e.g.
TLR7
) associations have been identified by several genetic approaches in severe COVID-19. WES has noted associations with several immune regulatory genes (e.g.
SOCS1
). Target gene approaches have identified mutations in perforin-mediated cytolytic pathway genes in children and adults with severe COVID-19 and children with MIS-C.
Summary
Several genetic associations have been identified in individuals with severe COVID-19 and MIS-C via various genetic approaches. Broadly speaking, COVID-19 genetic associations include genes involved with antiviral functions, viral cell entry, immune regulation, chemotaxis of white blood cells, and lymphocyte cytolytic function.