Association Between the Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphism in rs7975232 with the COVID-19 Susceptibility

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Vitamin D deficiency influences the pathogenicity and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), suggesting that polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor may impact disease susceptibility and outcomes. This study aims to examine the relationship between the rs7975232 SNP and susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2) infection. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> This study compared 138 COVID-19 patients with 136 healthy individuals at Shohada-ye Ashayer Hospital in Khorramabad. The PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) method was employed to ascertain the genotypes following the collection of blood samples. The results of PCR-RFLP method were confirmed by sequencing. IBM SPSS and SNPStats software were utilized to compare genotypes and allele frequencies, as well as to conduct odds ratio analysis. <b><i>Results:</i></b> This study's results did not demonstrate a significant association between the rs7975232 polymorphism and COVID-19 susceptibility (<i>p</i> = 0.58). Subsequent analysis revealed that individuals with low lymphocyte levels and the CC genotype exhibited increased susceptibility to COVID-19 (OR = 3.45, 95%CI: 1.18-10.11). A significant association was observed between creatinine (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), neutrophils (<i>p</i> = 0.02), and NLR (Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio) (<i>p</i> = 0.0015) with rs7975232. In a comparison of AA/AC genotype cases, individuals with normal levels of ALT, CPK, creatinine, blood sugar, and hemoglobin exhibited an increased likelihood of infection. In CC genotype cases, individuals with normal neutrophil levels exhibited a reduced chance of COVID-19. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The current study did not demonstrate a significant association between the examined SNP and COVID-19. The findings indicated that the standard levels of various laboratory parameters influence the likelihood of the disease. Additional studies involving larger and more diverse populations can yield more valid results.