Arthur Pereira edited by Wassila Belhacine 2:43 p.m., January 26, 2022
Despite the ongoing pandemic, some people manage not to contract Covid-19.
Are they simply protected by their lucky stars?
Or are there biological factors that would protect against the virus?
Explanation in Europe Midi with Noushin Mossadegh Keller, immunologist at the CNRS.
After two years of pandemic, some French people have never been affected by Covid-19.
But how did they slip through the cracks?
Some lucky people manage to escape the virus even in a contaminated place.
Others are also particularly vigilant by adopting a way of life that greatly reduces the risk of contamination: respect for barrier gestures, limitation of contact, avoidance of places favoring the spread of the virus.
But, according to CNRS immunologist Noushin Mossadegh Keller, certain genetic predispositions limit the risk of infection.
The role of genetics
Indeed, according to immunologist Noushin Mossadegh Keller, "the production of a particular immune cell allows those who have it to better fight the Covid" she explains.
This cell prevents, in some cases, contamination with the virus.
Other lucky ones have “a mutation in their genome which removes the virus from their immune system” adds the doctor.
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The National Institute of Health and Medical Research indicates that studies published in 2021 also believe that belonging to blood group O decreases the chances of contracting the virus.
According to INSERM, scientific publications have notably pointed to a reduced risk for people with blood group O, even if this reduction remains relative.
These initial data have also already been confirmed by several meta-analyses
.
Individuals of this blood group would therefore be slightly less prone than others to infection, but also to developing serious forms.
This does not mean that being of blood group O dispenses with barrier gestures, any more than doing without the vaccine.