Evidence has long suggested that the HLA-B27 gene offers protection against HIV, hepatitis C, and possibly influenza. Using the data gathered from SAA’s COVID-19 and Spondyloarthritis Survey, the survey’s authors conducted additional analysis to examine any possible impact the HLA-B27 gene may have on susceptibility to, or severity of, COVID-19 infection.
Below is a brief (4-minute) video by the study’s lead author, James Rosenbaum, MD, reviewing the data and the study’s findings:
The authors concluded that HLA-B27 does not appear to have a major influence on either susceptibility to, or severity of, COVID-19.
(Find the full study article, published in the Journal of Rheumatology, here: The Effect of HLA-B27 on Susceptibility and Severity of Covid-19)
This is the second study publication to come out of this important survey, which SAA launched in April 2020. A recap of the first published study article, “Biologics, Spondylitis and COVID-19,” can be found here. The original article was published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, in June 2020.
Our thanks to everyone who has contributed to this important research so far! As this is a longitudinal survey, we hope you’ll be kind enough to keep participating. We will keep sharing what we learn with you.
If you haven’t taken part yet, but would like to, you can start here: https://spondylitis.org/research-new/covid-19-and-spondyloarthritis-survey/. Everyone’s experience offers important lessons and contributes to an even stronger picture of how COVID-19 affects the SpA community, so we want to hear from you!
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