Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. COVID-19 incidence, severity, and mortality rates differ greatly between populations, genders, ABO blood groups, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes, ethnic groups, and geographic backgrounds. This highly heterogeneous SARS-CoV-2 infection is multifactorial. Host genetic factors such as variants in the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (ACE), the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 gene (ACE2), the transmembrane protease serine 2 gene (TMPRSS2), along with HLA genotype, and ABO blood group help to explain individual susceptibility, severity, and outcomes of COVID-19. This review is focused on COVID-19 clinical and viral characteristics, pathogenesis, and genetic findings, with particular attention on genetic diversity and variants. The human genetic basis could provide scientific bases for disease prediction and targeted therapy to address the COVID-19 scourge.

由新型冠状病毒严重急性呼吸系统综合症冠状病毒 2 (SARS-CoV-2) 引起的 2019 冠状病毒病 (COVID-19) 已在全球范围内造成相当大的发病率和死亡率。COVID-19 的发病率、严重程度和死亡率在人群、性别、ABO 血型、人类白细胞抗原 (HLA) 基因型、种族和地理背景之间存在很大差异。这种高度异质的 SARS-CoV-2 感染是多因素的。宿主遗传因素，例如血管紧张素转换酶基因 ( ACE )、血管紧张素转换酶 2 基因 ( ACE2 )、跨膜蛋白酶丝氨酸 2 基因 ( TMPRSS2 ) 的变异)、HLA 基因型和 ABO 血型有助于解释 COVID-19 的个体易感性、严重性和结果。这篇综述的重点是 COVID-19 的临床和病毒特征、发病机制和遗传发现，特别关注遗传多样性和变异。人类遗传基础可以为疾病预测和靶向治疗提供科学依据，以解决 COVID-19 祸害。