A new study gives us insight into ‘super scammers’, people who COVID-19 contract but never develop symptoms, and what sets them apart.
Published Wednesday in Nature, the researchers say this group may have a genetic advantage, finding that they are more than twice as likely as those who become symptomatic to carry a specific genetic variation that helps them destroy the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Studies have shown that approximately 20% of people infected with covid avoid serious illnesses, note the researchers. These “super crooks” appear to have a mutation in the human leukocyte antigen supporting the immune system, allowing virus killer cells to identify the coronavirus, according to the study. These virus-killing cells, called T cells, were able to find the coronavirus even though it was the first encounter due to a resemblance to already familiar seasonal cold viruses.
“If you have an army that can recognize the enemy early, that’s a huge advantage,” study lead researcher Dr. Jill Hollenbach, a professor of neurology, epidemiology and biostatistics and a fellow at the Weill Institute for Neurosciences at UCSF, said in a press release. “It’s like having soldiers who are prepared for battle and already know what to look for, and they’re the bad guys.”
The researchers found that the mutation was carried by about 10% of the study population and that having two copies of the variant further increased protection against nausea by more than eight times.
“It does not prevent the virus from infecting cells, but rather prevents people from developing symptoms. This includes a runny nose or even a barely noticeable sore throat,” the statement said.
Understanding the biology behind asymptomatic infection has “important implications for public health measures, vaccine design, and therapeutic development,” the authors wrote.
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“CBS Evening News” headlines for Thursday, July 20, 2023
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