Host genetic factors determining COVID-19 susceptibility and severity

Introduction: The 2019 worldwide outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has wreaked havoc on health systems and economies around the world. SARS-CoV-2 infections range from asymptomatic to severe courses of COVID-19 with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and death. Risk factors for disease severity include older age, male sex, increased BMI, comorbidities and ethnicity. The impact of the host genetic to the development of infectious diseases, causing susceptibility to a variety of viruses, as well as influencing the course of the disease has been confirmed in numerous studies indicating the existence of candidate genes for predisposition to infections.