South Africa: UCT-Led International Study Uncovers Gene Clues to Severe Covid-19 in Children
[UCT] Researchers from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the University of Southampton, together with international partners, have identified patterns of gene expression associated with severe COVID-19 in children; patterns that are shared with other serious respiratory infections, as well as patterns that distinguish these illnesses.
A University of Cape Town-led international study has uncovered gene expression patterns associated with severe COVID-19 in children, offering insights into the immune system's response to lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) like COVID-19, RSV, and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Published in BMC Infectious Diseases, the research, involving children from South Africa, identified over 5,000 genes expressed differently in children with severe infections and discovered 10 groups of genes linked to immune responses and other biological processes.
The study also identified 82 genes that could distinguish mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV2 infection from severe COVID-19, suggesting potential gene-expression patterns as indicators of disease severity. Professor Heather Zar, principal investigator of the Drakenstein Child Health Study, emphasized the limited research on African children's biological responses to these infections, highlighting the importance of the study in addressing this evidence gap.
Dr. Negusse Kitaba, lead researcher from the University of Southampton, added that the findings provide new insights into the biological pathways involved in disease severity and highlight potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The study underscores the value of international collaboration in understanding childhood respiratory disease, but further research with larger groups of children is needed to develop these promising gene signatures for clinical use.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
