Unveiling the Mystery of COVID-19 "Super Dodgers"

A new study published in Nature has shed light on "super dodgers," individuals who contract COVID-19 but never develop symptoms. These individuals may have a genetic advantage, as they are more likely to carry a specific gene variation that helps them destroy the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The study found that these "super dodgers" have a mutation in the human leukocyte antigen, which allows their virus-killing cells (T cells) to identify the coronavirus even if it is their first encounter. Understanding the biology behind asymptomatic infection has important implications for public health measures, vaccine design, and therapeutic development.