Association of HLA-B22 serotype with SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility in Hong Kong Chinese patients

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Since its first report in December 2019, COVID-19 has evolved into a global pandemic causing massive healthcare and socioeconomic challenges. HLA system is critical in mediating anti-viral immunity and recent studies have suggested preferential involvement of HLA-B in COVID-19 susceptibility. Here, by investigating the HLA-B genotypes in 190 unrelated Chinese patients with confirmed COVID-19, we identified a significant positive association between the B22 serotype and SARS-CoV-2 infection (p = 0.002, Bonferroni-corrected p = 0.032). Notably, the B22 serotype has been consistently linked to susceptibility to other viral infections. These data not only shed new insights into SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and vaccine development but also guide better infection prevention/control.

Automated summary

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a highly infectious disease that has become a global pandemic. Research has found a significant positive association between the HLA-B genotype B22 and SARS-CoV-2 infection, which is also linked to susceptibility to other viral infections.