Abstract
Background: COVID-19 is a widespread infection all over the world which could be affected by different biological, physiological and pathological parameters.Aim: The study is conducted to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 infection and, the expression of the TAS2R38 gene and other physiological parameters (blood groups, age and gender).Methods: A total of 105 persons participated in this study. They were subdivided into groups according to COVID-19 infection, age and gender. Phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) test paper was used to detect the distribution of the TAS2R38 gene allele in the whole participants (PAV/PAV homozygote, AVI/PAV heterozygote, AVI/AVI non-taster). Standard serological tests were used to determine the ABO and Rh blood groups.Results: Up to 71% of homozygotes, 72% of heterozygotes and 68% of non-tasters of the participants tested positive for COVID-19. Both men and women had approximately the same percentage of having been infected with COVID-19. The percentage of having COVID-19 was reported to be significantly higher for middle-aged subjects in comparison with young subjects. Apart from a significant negative correlation with Rh blood grouping, no correlation was found between PTC test results, and having COVID-19 infection and the studied physiological variables.Conclusion: The study indicates that there is no significant correlation between TAS2R38 polymorphism and the physiological variables age, gender and ABO blood grouping. The study shows the absence of a crucial role of the gene in susceptibility to COVID-19 infection.
