Identical Twins Responses to Covid-19
By: Carissa Bersche
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/18/health/covid-twins-genetics.html
Twins Kimberly and Kelly both fell ill with Covid-19, however, their shared experiences ended there. Kelly was discharged from the hospital after one week while Kimberly remained in the intensive care unit in critical condition for a month. Following her illness, Kimberly had to relearn how to walk, talk, chew, and swallow. Both twins were high risk as they are overweight and both have a metabolic condition, however, Kelly who had a less severe Covid-19 case had asthma which Kimberly did not and a worse case of diabetes than Kimberly. Alternatively, twins Krista and Kasey who fell ill with Covid-19 days apart experienced the same symptoms each number of days into the sickness as each other. Both twins had the same fever, back pain, and headaches. Twins Marena and Vivian both got Covid-19, but Marena only lost her sense of taste and smell while Vivian had flu-like symptoms. Another case is that of Michael and Steven, Steven fell ill first with cold-like symptoms while Michael who lived at home with his parents who also became ill was unable to get out of bed for weeks. As Michael lived with his patents who also fell ill he likely had a higher viral load than Steven.
The Covid-19 twin studies provide great insight into the influence of environment and genetics. Over the typical lifespan identical twins amass on average 5.2 different genes due to mutations. Over time different microbes colonize the gut and immune systems change. In the case of Covid-19 experiencing a higher number of Coronavirus cold reduces risk for serious illness, this is a point where identical twins may differ. Furthermore, the viral load which is the amount of virus that enters the body may differ across twins. The higher the viral load the higher the chance for a severe case. Additionally, environmental differences such as weight, heart disease, diabetes, and smoking can cause the differences seen in twins. In relation to Covid-19 there is a genetic influences on the type of symptoms experienced, genetic factors can account for 50% of the differences between Covid-19 cases.
Why are twin studies in Covid-19 important?
How do differences in immune systems and gut microbes impact Covid-19 susceptibility?
Have you heard of any genes or traits that lower or raise Covid-19 risk?
Twin studies are important as they keep more variables constant and allow a best assessment of the true nature of the virus. This is not a perfect system as even identical twins immune systems differ as do their gut microbes, these fight off the virus, therefore, when these are different their response is not identical. I have heard that people with type A blood have an increased risk of falling ill and getting a severe case of COVID-19.
ReplyDelete-Carissa Bersche
Twins are important to study when covid-19 is involved because it provides scientists with 2 similar cases while seeing what the virus does, the immune system and gut microbes could be either good or bad because some may have less viral load that others. I haven't heard about much but it could be possible immune disorders affect covid.
ReplyDelete-Tyler A
I have not heard much about any gene traits that lower or raise COVID-19 risks. In on of my hot topics there actually was something about people who have Neanderthal DNA might be more likely to be affected by DNA but I don't know if any new data has come out.
ReplyDeleteAngeline Upchurch
If you have a imparied immune system or an autoimmune disorder you are are higher risk for getting COVID. Also, the risk of adverse effects is higher because your immune system is weaker and not able to fight off the virus as effectively. I have heard about if you have a certain blood type you are less likely to get COVID or something to that effect.
ReplyDeleteTrinity Mathis
I personally haven't heard of any genes or traits that would lower your chance of getting covid but I know that if you have a week immune system or a body that in general contracts and isnt good at fight illness you are at a higher risk. One thing I find crazy is how different everyone is affected by covid some get deathly sick while other wont show any symptoms at all and others simply get cold or flu like symptoms and get better gradually; in a sense its scary that you dont know how your body will react.
ReplyDelete-Raquel Morgens
I read somewhere that people with Type O blood are less susceptible to having respiratory failure due to COVID-19. At some point some family friends were sending fake news on WhatsApp, saying that black people were more resistant to the virus and that's why Africa has such low cases. It's all hogwash though. Everybody's gut microbes are unique to the person, whether your twins or not- scientists have realized that the absence of certain gut microbes can increase your risk of severe disease.
ReplyDelete-Ilori Tankpinou
I feel like twin studies are important in regards to COVID-19 because they help to single out how genetic differences affect covid symptoms. Twins have very similar genetic makeups but the specific genes that differ between them may give great insight into how those genes cause different covid-19 symptoms. -Shirin Saha
ReplyDelete