Impact of Host Genomics on COVID-19: What We Know and Don’t Know

Both pathogen and host factors affect susceptibility and progression to infectious diseases. The host genome influences innate and adaptive immunity and can explain some of the differences in risk and severity of disease among those exposed to the same pathogen. The current COVID-19 pandemic raises these same pressing questions: Why does exposure to the same SARS-CoV-2 virus result in a range of disease outcomes, from asymptomatic infections to severe disease requiring mechanical ventilation to death? Why are we observing morbidity and mortality in some young persons without the hallmark comorbidities previously observed with severe disease?

One factor that may explain this remarkable range of outcomes is host genomics. Gaining better insight into and understanding of underlying biology can aid the identification of therapeutic targets.

Dr. Duggal will discuss what we know and don’t know about the role of host genomics in COVID-19 and other coronaviruses, as well as ongoing initiatives and studies that are seeking to assess the role of host genomics in COVID-19. She will also discuss the potential public health impact of host genomics in COVID-19 and the importance of sound epidemiological study designs.