250 Scientists Hunt COVID Resistance Genes as Only 2%-3% Lack Antibodies Worldwide
Updated
Updated · The Boston Globe · Jun 3
250 Scientists Hunt COVID Resistance Genes as Only 2%-3% Lack Antibodies Worldwide
1 articles · Updated · The Boston Globe · Jun 3
Summary
Only about 2%-3% of people worldwide appear to have no COVID antibodies, making true never-infected "superdodgers" far rarer than self-reports suggest.
A 250-scientist international consortium is testing heavily exposed, unvaccinated people to find genetic variants that may resist SARS-CoV-2 and guide new treatments or vaccines.
Rockefeller University researchers have reviewed thousands of cases without finding a definitive blocking mutation, and suspect any true resistance gene may occur in fewer than 0.1% of people.
Earlier consortium work tied severe COVID to interferon-disrupting autoantibodies and mutations, reinforcing the idea that rare immune traits can shape outcomes at both extremes.
Scientists say cracking genuine resistance could sharpen diagnoses, improve vaccines and help prepare for future pandemics, much as rare HIV and malaria mutations informed later therapies.
Beyond rare genes, what common biological traits could explain why some people have never contracted COVID-19?
Could the secrets of COVID 'superdodgers' help create a universal vaccine to prevent future coronavirus pandemics?
Natural Immunity to COVID-19: What Global Research Reveals About Genetic Resistance and Future Health Strategies
Overview
This report explores the global scientific effort to understand why a small minority of people remain uninfected by COVID-19, even after widespread exposure and vaccination. Driven by cases of individuals who never contract the virus despite close contact, initiatives like the COVID Human Genetic Effort are investigating the genetic and immunological factors behind this natural resistance. By focusing on critical COVID-19 pneumonia and aiming to uncover the biological reasons for natural immunity, researchers hope to reveal insights that could lead to better treatments and prevention strategies for the future.