Neanderthal Genes Linked to Severe COVID-19 Cases

Research conducted in Italy suggests that individuals with Neanderthal gene variants are more likely to experience severe cases of COVID-19. The study examined the DNA of nearly 1,200 volunteers in the Bergamo province, an area heavily impacted by the pandemic, and found that the Neanderthal haplotype, a set of genetic variants associated with our human ancestor, is a major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19. Those with the Neanderthal haplotype were twice as likely to develop severe pneumonia and three times as likely to require ventilation in an intensive care unit. Previous studies have also indicated a link between Neanderthal DNA and other health conditions.