Clinical impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms within interferon signaling pathway gene in pregnant women with COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate if gene expression modifications due to two different single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutations within the interferon-α/β receptor-2 (IFNAR2) gene had an effect on clinical prognosis in pregnant coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

METHODOLOGY: The study included 173 pregnant patients who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Oligonucleotides were designed for the SNPs with nucleotide database codes rs13050728 and rs2236757 in the hospital's genetic laboratory, and RT-PCR analyses were performed.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms (runny nose, nasal congestion, and fatigue); between rs2236757 normal-carrier-homozygous mutant pregnant women and the occurrence of symptoms (p = 0.004). However, these URTI symptoms were never seen in homozygous mutant pregnant women. Upon analysis of the relationship between rs13050728 normal-carrier-homozygous mutant pregnant women and the occurrence of symptoms, there was a significant difference between URTI symptoms, and nausea and vomiting (p = 0.001, p = 0.027, respectively). The URTI symptoms were never seen in homozygous mutant and carrier pregnant women. There was no significant association between rs13050728 and rs2236757 normal-carrier-homozygous mutant pregnant women and severity of disease, intensive care unit admission, pregnancy complications, need for oxygen support, and radiologic involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study will serve as a guide in identifying high-risk individuals, providing treatment, and contributing to the understanding of genetic factors in future viral pandemics.