Researchers at the University of South Australia have uncovered key genes that increase a person’s susceptibility to long COVID.
The peer-reviewed study gathered data from over 100 international studies and pinpointed 32 genes. Among these, 19 have been previously identified in COVID-19 and Long COVID, while 13 were novel and not previously associated with the disease.
One such gene is the FOX P4 gene, which normally regulates the immune system and lung function but is also a variant that increases susceptibility to long COVID.
ITPRID1, another gene identified, is involved in activating immune cells in response to viruses.
The authors also pointed out GRB2, or growth factor receptor-bound protein 2, as a “potential drug target” because of its role in inflammation in the body.
Lead author Sindy Pinero said this breakthrough could pave the way for more targeted treatments and personalised diagnostics.
“These findings mark a major step towards a more precise way of diagnosing and treating the condition,” she said in a media release.
Long COVID is an Elusive Disease
Long COVID, or “post-COVID-19 condition,” is the name given to long-term symptoms that persist following a SARS-COV-2 infection.
The common symptoms for long COVID include fatigue, breathlessness, “brain fog,” dizziness, and low mood.
Currently, the causes of long COVID have not been fully understood, with the same symptoms appearing in other physiological processes such as a dysregulated inflammatory state, autoimmunity, organ damage, or having an inadequate antibody response.
Most people recover in a few days or weeks, but with long COVID, symptoms can persist for weeks, months, or even longer.
An estimated 400 million people have been affected with long COVID since 2020.
Pinero told The Epoch Times that diagnosing long COVID is not as simple as knowing the symptoms.
“[These symptoms] also occur with anemia/iron deficiency, thyroid disorders, asthma, depression/anxiety, post-viral syndromes, medication side effects, or general deconditioning. Clinicians often need to rule these out first.”
Different patients also have different symptoms, which can also vary in intensity. Ultimately, it means there is no singular test to diagnose long COVID, which is complicated by the wide variety in clinical presentation.
“Two people can both have Long COVID but look very different clinically,” she said.
“Many patients report ‘good days and bad days,’ or worsening after physical/mental effort, which is difficult to capture with a single clinic visit or test.”
Understanding genetic risk factors can help move the field towards a better understanding of the causes of the disease and personalised treatments based on patient risk factors, she added.
“Gene discoveries can guide better-targeted research and trials—which is a key step on the path to effective treatments.”
Current treatments for long COVID include self-care strategies at home, such as eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol intake. Tailored physical and mental health rehabilitation programs on the advice of a healthcare professional are also recommended.
Integrated Approach Used in the Study
The study used a multi-omics approach, where multiple areas of medical research were integrated, such as proteins, genomics, metabolites, and gene expression.
This method enabled the analysis of different layers of biological data, ultimately predicting which patients are at risk of long-term complications and how their symptoms may evolve.
“Biology behaves more like a connected system rather than single, independent parts. The approach offers a more complete view. Combining layers can strengthen confidence that a signal is real and biologically meaningful, not just a statistical fluke,” Pinero said.
“It also helps explain why symptoms might persist. For example, immune dysregulation, vascular effects, and neurologic pathways.”