Host Genetic Polymorphisms and Disease Severity in Pregnant Women with COVID-19 in Türkiye

Objective: The study aimed to analyze the association between coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) disease severity and genetic susceptibility in pregnant women. Material and Methods: The research included 54 pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. All volunteers were evaluated physically and biochemically. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)2 (p.T27A A>G, p.G326E G>A, p.K419T A>C, ACE (p.T776T A>G, and g.16471_16472delinsALU (I/D), AGTR1 c.*86A>C, methylenetetrahydrofolate-reductase (MTHFR) p.A222V C>T and PAI-1-844 G>A were analyzed. Results: The allele frequency was also compared with control groups of the different studies made on Turkish women. MTHFR “CT” genotype compared to “CC” had lower platelet counts (p=0.015). In ACE “ID” genotype, there was a lower D-dimer level compared to “DD” genotype (p=0.02). In PAI-1-844G>A, the AA vs. AG+GG genotype and AA vs. GG genotype elevate the risk of hospitalization 6.4-fold (OR: 6.4 95% (Cl): 1.6-25.8 p=0.009), and 4.6-fold (OR: 4.6 95% CI:1.0-21.6 p=0.049), respectively. In MTHFR p.A222V, to have CC vs. CT genotype increased the risk of enoxaparin and antibiotic use 4.1-fold and 3.2-fold at the borderline significance (OR: 4.1 95% Cl: 0.99-16.9 p=0.052 and OR: 3.2 95% Cl: 0.98-10.5 p=0.053), respectively. An allele frequency difference wasn't found between the patient and the healthy women related to the investigated polymorphisms. Conclusion: PAI-1-844G>A, MTHFR p.A222V, and ACE (I/D) associated with a poor COVID-19 outcome, the risk of enoxaparin and antibiotic use, and also increased risk of hospitalization. Allele frequencies of the genes were not different between healthy control women and women with COVID-19; genetic variation may not influence the risk of infection but disease severity. Copyright © 2024 by Türkiye Klinikleri.