Surfactant Protein Genetic Variants in COVID-19 Infection

Surfactant protein plays important role in innate immunity against respiratory viral infections. However, investigators have shown that the surfactant protein polymorphisms are associated with severity of various pulmonary diseases such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), tuberculosis, pediatric acute lung injury. COVID-19 virus gains entry through the respiratory system and responsible for death due to acute respiratory failure. There is a considerable heterogeneity in presentation of COVID-19 infection from asymptomatic patients to severe infection requiring intensive care and some may die. Considering reports of COVID-19 related deaths/severe disease in the same family, it is possible that genetics play an important role in severity of COVID-19 infection. Investigators propose to study the association of surfactant proteins in COVID-19 patients. Key Objectives: a) Characterize genetic markers within the surfactant protein genes in COVID-19 positive patients, b) To determine if there is a correlation between certain genetic markers and the severity of COVID-19 infection which may be used as a prognostic marker, c) To correlate genetic markers with immune studies.