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HLA-B and C Expression Contributes to COVID-19 Disease Severity within a South African Cohort

Genes (Basel)

This article explores how specific genes in our immune system, known as HLA-B and HLA-C, impact the severity of COVID-19 within a group of people in South Africa. These genes are important because they help our bodies recognize and fight off infections.

The study found that variations in these genes among individuals in South Africa could affect how severe their COVID-19 symptoms become. Some variations might make people more susceptible to severe illness, while others could offer some level of protection.

Understanding these genetic differences is crucial for developing targeted treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, especially in populations with diverse genetic backgrounds like South Africa.

By uncovering how HLA-B and HLA-C genes contribute to COVID-19 severity in South Africa, researchers aim to better understand the disease and improve strategies for managing and treating it effectively.

Disclaimer: This lay summary was generated by AI and has not been approved by any of the authors yet.

SANTHE is an Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) flagship programme funded by the Science for Africa Foundation through the DELTAS Africa programme; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Gilead Sciences Inc.; and the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard.