Genetic susceptibility associated with hospitalization due to respiratory syncytial virus in a group of Taiwanese children: a preliminary study

BackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in young children worldwide. While several risk factors for severe RSV illness are known, the role of host genetic susceptibility remains underexplored, particularly in East Asian populations. Object...

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Main Authors: Yi-An Lu, Chi-Jen Chen, Tzu-Pin Lu, Jin-Yuan Wang, Daniel Tsung-Ning Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Pediatrics
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1473448/full
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author Yi-An Lu
Chi-Jen Chen
Tzu-Pin Lu
Jin-Yuan Wang
Daniel Tsung-Ning Huang
Daniel Tsung-Ning Huang
author_facet Yi-An Lu
Chi-Jen Chen
Tzu-Pin Lu
Jin-Yuan Wang
Daniel Tsung-Ning Huang
Daniel Tsung-Ning Huang
author_sort Yi-An Lu
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in young children worldwide. While several risk factors for severe RSV illness are known, the role of host genetic susceptibility remains underexplored, particularly in East Asian populations. Objective: This preliminary study aimed to identify genetic variants associated with RSV-related hospitalization in the Taiwanese pediatric population using a genome-wide association approach.MethodsA total of 260 children aged ≥6 months were recruited from Mackay Memorial Hospital and the corresponding author's social media page between November 2020 and March 2022. Genotyping was performed using the Axiom Genome-Wide TPM 2.0 array, followed by imputation and quality control. Genome-wide association analyses were conducted under additive, dominant, and recessive models, adjusting for population stratification.ResultsEight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were significantly associated with RSV hospitalization risk (rs183825, rs141541148, rs7296788, rs16862251, rs1525107, rs2105758, rs622946, and rs12857032). Notably, rs141541148 (OR = 9.14) and rs1361088 (OR = 8.58 in boys) were associated with substantially increased risk. Conversely, rs16862251 was linked to a reduced risk (OR = 0.19), suggesting a protective role possibly mediated through T-cell receptor signaling.ConclusionOur findings identify several gene loci associated with higher rates of hospital admissions due to RSV in children of ≥6 months of age. By studying the genetic variations that may predispose people to RSV infection, it may be possible to gain a better understanding of risk factors and prioritize vaccination for specific populations.
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spelling doaj-art-b512f5f4d1be49a4aa64a9cfa7ba5b232025-08-20T03:41:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pediatrics2296-23602025-08-011310.3389/fped.2025.14734481473448Genetic susceptibility associated with hospitalization due to respiratory syncytial virus in a group of Taiwanese children: a preliminary studyYi-An Lu0Chi-Jen Chen1Tzu-Pin Lu2Jin-Yuan Wang3Daniel Tsung-Ning Huang4Daniel Tsung-Ning Huang5Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, TaiwanInstitute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, TaiwanInstitute of Health Data Analytics and Statistics, Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, TaiwanDivision of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, TaiwanDivision of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, TaiwanDepartment of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, TaiwanBackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in young children worldwide. While several risk factors for severe RSV illness are known, the role of host genetic susceptibility remains underexplored, particularly in East Asian populations. Objective: This preliminary study aimed to identify genetic variants associated with RSV-related hospitalization in the Taiwanese pediatric population using a genome-wide association approach.MethodsA total of 260 children aged ≥6 months were recruited from Mackay Memorial Hospital and the corresponding author's social media page between November 2020 and March 2022. Genotyping was performed using the Axiom Genome-Wide TPM 2.0 array, followed by imputation and quality control. Genome-wide association analyses were conducted under additive, dominant, and recessive models, adjusting for population stratification.ResultsEight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were significantly associated with RSV hospitalization risk (rs183825, rs141541148, rs7296788, rs16862251, rs1525107, rs2105758, rs622946, and rs12857032). Notably, rs141541148 (OR = 9.14) and rs1361088 (OR = 8.58 in boys) were associated with substantially increased risk. Conversely, rs16862251 was linked to a reduced risk (OR = 0.19), suggesting a protective role possibly mediated through T-cell receptor signaling.ConclusionOur findings identify several gene loci associated with higher rates of hospital admissions due to RSV in children of ≥6 months of age. By studying the genetic variations that may predispose people to RSV infection, it may be possible to gain a better understanding of risk factors and prioritize vaccination for specific populations.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1473448/fullgenetic polymorphismrespiratory syncytial virusTaiwanese pediatric populationhospitalizationrisk factor
spellingShingle Yi-An Lu
Chi-Jen Chen
Tzu-Pin Lu
Jin-Yuan Wang
Daniel Tsung-Ning Huang
Daniel Tsung-Ning Huang
Genetic susceptibility associated with hospitalization due to respiratory syncytial virus in a group of Taiwanese children: a preliminary study
Frontiers in Pediatrics
genetic polymorphism
respiratory syncytial virus
Taiwanese pediatric population
hospitalization
risk factor
title Genetic susceptibility associated with hospitalization due to respiratory syncytial virus in a group of Taiwanese children: a preliminary study
title_full Genetic susceptibility associated with hospitalization due to respiratory syncytial virus in a group of Taiwanese children: a preliminary study
title_fullStr Genetic susceptibility associated with hospitalization due to respiratory syncytial virus in a group of Taiwanese children: a preliminary study
title_full_unstemmed Genetic susceptibility associated with hospitalization due to respiratory syncytial virus in a group of Taiwanese children: a preliminary study
title_short Genetic susceptibility associated with hospitalization due to respiratory syncytial virus in a group of Taiwanese children: a preliminary study
title_sort genetic susceptibility associated with hospitalization due to respiratory syncytial virus in a group of taiwanese children a preliminary study
topic genetic polymorphism
respiratory syncytial virus
Taiwanese pediatric population
hospitalization
risk factor
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1473448/full
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