Trans-ancestry genome-wide association study reveals pleiotropic mechanisms linking viral susceptibility to post-acute neurological sequelae in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort
Christine ROSE
Current genetic risk scores for COVID-19 are derived mainly from European populations, creating a "health equity gap" for Asian patients in primary care. Furthermore, the biological basis of "Long COVID"—particularly the "brain fog" and fatigue frequently managed by General Practitioners (GPs)—remains poorly defined, limiting targeted management strategies.To identify population-specific genetic risk factors for COVID-19 severity and post-acute sequelae in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort (Chinese, Malay, Indian) to improve risk stratification in primary care.We analyzed Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) data from 45,797 individuals in a national cohort, linked to comprehensive national administrative health records. We performed ancestry-stratified GWAS and meta-analysis for acute phenotypes (Susceptibility, Severity) and Long COVID (Neurological, Cardiovascular). Cross-phenotype gene-burden tests (MAGMA) were conducted with Influenza and Invasive Bacterial infections to identify broad-spectrum host defense mechanisms relevant to community-acquired infections.We identified 10 genome-wide significant loci. For acute severity, we identified a novel risk locus in ADAMTS5 (P = 4.1 x 10-10), a metalloproteinase governing lung tissue remodeling. Cross-phenotype analysis revealed ANKS1B as a putative pleiotropic risk factor associated with susceptibility to Influenza, Invasive Bacterial infections, and COVID-19 (P = 4.1 x 10-9). Crucially, for Long COVID, we identified GRID2 (P = 9.7 x 10-10)—a cerebellar glutamate receptor—as a top risk factor for post-acute neurological sequelae.The identification of ANKS1B suggests a subset of patients possesses a "pan-susceptible" mucosal barrier defect, making them "frequent flyers" for viral and bacterial respiratory infections in the community. Furthermore, the association of GRID2 with Neurological Long COVID supports a "Synaptic Failure" hypothesis for post-viral brain fog, moving the field beyond vague inflammation theories toward specific neural targets relevant to cognitive rehabilitation.This study underscores the critical importance of non-European cohorts in refining genetic risk stratification. The findings support a precision medicine approach where GPs could prioritize individuals with "Pleiotropic" risk variants for broader vaccination strategies (e.g., Influenza and Pneumococcal) alongside COVID-19 prevention.
