Unraveling COVID-19: Understanding Population Disparities and Immune Responses
Variations in immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 across populations are influenced by latent cytomegalovirus infection and human genetic factors shaped by natural selection, according to a study by researchers from the Institut Pasteur, CNRS, and the Collège de France. The study analyzed immune responses to the virus among populations in Central Africa, Western Europe, and East Asia, finding that differences in blood cellular composition and the expression of certain genes contribute to the varying severity levels of COVID-19. These findings could aid in improving patient management during future epidemics and pave the way for precision medicine strategies.