Genotyping Of COVID-19 Patients And Association Of Some HLA Alleles With The Infection And Cytokine Profile

Abstract

COVID-19 is a serious pandemic infection of the respiratory system that results in huge mortality; and affects the global economy and lifestyle. This study aimed to determine any role of genetic factors represented by the association of any HLA alleles with the susceptibility or resistance to the infection. Additionally, it aimed to study IL-6 levels in the cytokine storm and disease outcome.

:awhole blood samples from 30 patients with COVID-19 were used for HLA typing by(SSO PCR) with(Auto-Lipa)Automatic Line Probe Assay compared with another 20 healthy control samples.Serum samples from the same patients and control groups were used for estimation of the IL-6 levels by ELISA test. HLA-A *0201 P value 0.21 increased frequency in the healthy control group compared to the patient's group, HLA-B *0205 P value 0-020 increased frequency in the Covid-19 patients group compared to healthy control. Increased frequency of HLA-DR *0456 P value 0.02 in the patients group compared to the healthy group with no significant alleles in the HLA-DQ region. A significant difference between both patients and the control group was reported in IL -6 Levels. The high increase of allele frequency in the patients group compared to the healthy controls could be considered as a susceptibility factor for the infection. An increase in IL-6 levels in COVID-19 patients results in a cytokine storm which is linked with an increase of fatality.