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Hot Topics of the Day|PHGKB
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09/25/2020

Hot Topics of the Day are picked by experts to capture the latest information and publications on public health genomics and precision health for various diseases and health topics. Sources include published scientific literature, reviews, blogs and popular press articles.

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Inborn errors of type I IFN immunity in patients with life-threatening COVID-19
Q Zhang et al, Science, September 24, 2020

We have found an enrichment in rare variants predicted to be loss-of-function (LOF) at the 13 human loci known to govern TLR3- and IRF7-dependent type I interferon (IFN) immunity to influenza virus, in 659 patients with life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia, relative to 534 subjects with asymptomatic or benign infection.

Auto-antibodies against type I IFNs in patients with life-threatening COVID-19
P Bastard et al, Science, September 24, 2020

101 of 987 patients with life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia had neutralizing IgG auto-Abs against IFN-? (13 patients), the 13 types of IFN-a (36), or both (52). These auto-Abs were not found in 663 individuals with asymptomatic or mild SARS-CoV-2 infection and were present in only 4 of 1,227 healthy individuals.

Hidden immune weakness found in 14% of gravely ill COVID-19 patients
M Wadman, Science, September 24, 2020

From the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists baffled by the disease’s ferocity have wondered whether the body’s vanguard virus fighter, a molecular messenger called type I interferon, is missing in action in some severe cases. Two papers published this week confirm that suspicion. They reveal that in a significant minority of patients with serious COVID-19, the interferon response has been crippled by genetic flaws or by rogue antibodies that attack interferon itself.

The code: How genetic science helped expose a secret coronavirus outbreak
S Kaplan et al, Washington Post, September 25, 2020

The coronavirus mutates as it moves through its victims. Infectious particles swabbed from a patient’s nose carry small but distinctive differences in its genome that can be used, like a molecular bar code, to track where the virus came from and how it had been transmitted.

The COVID-19 PHARMACOME: Rational Selection of Drug Repurposing Candidates from Multimodal Knowledge Harmonization
BT Schultz et al, BIORXIV, September 22, 2020

Mass cytometry and artificial intelligence define CD169 as a specific marker of SARS-CoV2-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome
M Roussel et al, BIORXIV, September 22, 2020

Drug Repurposing for COVID-19 using Graph Neural Network with Genetic, Mechanistic, and Epidemiological Validation
K Hsieh et al, ARXIV< September 22, 2020

Using Machine Learning to Develop a Novel COVID-19 Vulnerability Index (C19VI
A Tiwari et al, ARXIV, September 22, 2020

Revisiting the Roles of Primary Care Clinicians in Genetic Medicine.
Hull Leland E et al. JAMA 2020 Sep

This Viewpoint highlights 4 approaches to facilitate genetics care for patients: (1) capturing and updating a family health history; (2) initiating testing and diagnostic workup for some genetic conditions; (3) recognizing indications for referral to subspecialists with genetics expertise; and (4) sharing management of surveillance for patients with specialists.


Disclaimer: Articles listed in Hot Topics of the Day are selected by Public Health Genomics Branch to provide current awareness of the scientific literature and news. Inclusion in the update does not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor does it imply endorsement of the article's methods or findings. CDC and DHHS assume no responsibility for the factual accuracy of the items presented. The selection, omission, or content of items does not imply any endorsement or other position taken by CDC or DHHS. Opinion, findings and conclusions expressed by the original authors of items included in the Clips, or persons quoted therein, are strictly their own and are in no way meant to represent the opinion or views of CDC or DHHS. References to publications, news sources, and non-CDC Websites are provided solely for informational purposes and do not imply endorsement by CDC or DHHS.
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