# Asymptomatic SARS‐CoV‐2 Infection: Association Involving the HLA‐B*15 Allele Group in Brazilian Individuals

## TL;DR

This study found that a specific genetic variant, HLA-B*15, is linked to protection against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in Brazilian individuals.

## Contribution

The study identifies HLA-B*15 as a protective genetic factor against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in a Brazilian population.

## Key findings

- The HLA-B*15 allele group was significantly associated with protection against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- The study included 478 unvaccinated individuals with varying infection severity and 150 pre-pandemic bone marrow donors as controls.
- HLA allele distribution may influence susceptibility and resistance to SARS-CoV-2 in different regions.

## Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of HLA‐A, ‐B and ‐C polymorphisms on the clinical course of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and on the progression of COVID‐19 in a population from southeastern Brazil. This study included 478 unvaccinated individuals. Of these, 369 were hospitalised with critical/severe (n = 309) or moderate/mild (n = 60) symptoms, and 109 were asymptomatic. The control group consisted of 150 volunteer bone marrow donors, recruited in the pre‐pandemic period. The HLA‐B*15 allele group (adjusted p value < 0.001) was associated with a protective factor against symptomatic infection. Investigating the effects of the distribution of HLA alleles on susceptibility and resistance to SARS‐CoV‐2 may provide a better understanding of the clinical course of infection in different geographical regions.