Association of vitamin D receptor Cdx-2 polymorphism with COVID-19: A case-control study

Authors

Mahmoud M. Alseoudy, Department of Anesthesia and surgical intensive care, Mansoura University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptFollow
Maha O. Hammad, Department of Medical Biochemistry and molecular biology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
Mohmed Elgamal, Chest Medicine Department, Mansoura University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
Dalia A. Abdelghany, Chest Medicine Department, Mansoura University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
Asmaa M. Borg, Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
Ahmed El-Mesery, Tropical Medicine Department, Mansoura University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
Dina Elzeiny, Department of Medical Biochemistry and molecular biology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

Corresponding Author

Mahmoud M. Alseoudy

Subject Area

Medical Biochemistry and molecular biology

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Background: Host genetic variability has been suggested as an important explanation for inter-individual differences in COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. Most vitamin D actions in the regulation of immunity are mediated by vitamin D receptors (VDRs). Polymorphisms in the VDR gene have been associated with several health outcomes; however, their effects on COVID-19 still need more clarification. This study aims to investigate the association of the VDR SNP (rs11568820, Cdx-2) with susceptibility and inter-individual variability of the severity of COVID-19. Methods: A total of 100 confirmed COVID-19 patients and 100 age and sex-matched controls were enrolled in this study between July and September 2021. COVID-19 patients were further subdivided into severe (n=50) and non-severe (n=50) cases. All participants were subjected to genotyping of Cdx-2 SNP using the allelic discrimination of the Real-time PCR technique and assay of serum 25(OH)D levels by ELISA. Results: The results showed that the homozygous ‘GG’ genotype was significantly higher in patients vs. controls, whereas the heterozygous ‘AG’ genotype was significantly lower in COVID-19 patients. Thus, the heterozygous ‘AG’ genotype is considered the protective genotype. This protection was more significant among males vs. females (P=0.02). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the genotype distributions of VDR Cdx-2 SNP between severe and non-severe patients. Moreover, COVID-19 patients with the ‘AG’ genotype presented higher 25(OH)D levels than the ‘GG’ genotype(P=0.02). Conclusions: VDR SNP (rs11568820, Cdx-2) might be a potential risk factor for COVID-19, particularly among male patients.

Recommended Citation

Alseoudy, Mahmoud M.; Hammad, Maha O.; Elgamal, Mohmed; Abdelghany, Dalia A.; Borg, Asmaa M.; El-Mesery, Ahmed; and Elzeiny, Dina (2023) "Association of vitamin D receptor Cdx-2 polymorphism with COVID-19: A case-control study," Mansoura Medical Journal: Vol. 52 : Iss. 1 , Article 9.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.58775/2735-3990.1382

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