title: Is there a relationship between genetic factors and the incidence and severity of H1N1 in Kosova?: A preliminary investigation and pointers for further research.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Host genetic factors may impact susceptibility to infection. A small number of studies have investigated the association between factors such as ABO blood groups and selected phenotypes on the incidence and severity of H1N1 infections with inconclusive results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using data from the Clinic of Infectious Diseases - University Clinical Centre Prishtina and based on the examination of 125 patients hospitalized with H1N1 in the period 2009-2014, the frequency of blood groups from ABO and Rhesus (Rh) systems as phenotypical markers were evaluated. In addition, other phenotypes such as ear lobe free/ear lobe attached, normal chin/cleft chin, tongue roller/non roller, hand clasping right thumb over/hand clasping left thumb over, right-handed/left-handed, dark eyes/light eyes were also analyzed. The data obtained from the 125 hospitalized patients were compared with the data from the Kosovar population (n = 2000) as a reference group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 303 patients with H1N1 were hospitalized in the period 2009-2015. Blood group and phenotype data available from 125 hospitalized H1N1 patients showed significant differences in the frequencies of the blood groups from Rh system as well as in two (out of six) phenotypes of the selected morphological traits compared to reference groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings from this preliminary study indicate that these Rh system and phenotype differences may be linked to H1N1 susceptibility and may guide identification of risk groups and populations.
authors.affiliation: University of Prishtina, Faculty of Medicine, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Prishtina University Clinical Centre, Kosovo. Electronic address: shemsedin.dreshaj@uni-pr.edu.
authors.forename: Shemsedin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dreshaj
authors.affiliation: University of Prishtina, Department of Biology, Nena Tereze, n.n., Prishtina, Kosova.
authors.forename: Avdulla J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Alija
authors.affiliation: University of Zurich, Centre for Travel Medicine, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, Hirschengraben 84, 8032 Switzerland.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schlagenhauf
authors.affiliation: University of Prishtina, Faculty of Medicine, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Prishtina University Clinical Centre, Kosovo.
authors.forename: Teuta
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Doda
authors.affiliation: University of Prishtina, Faculty of Medicine, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Prishtina University Clinical Centre, Kosovo.
authors.forename: Njomeza
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Geca
authors.affiliation: University of Prishtina, Department of Biology, Nena Tereze, n.n., Prishtina, Kosova.
authors.forename: Ismet
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bajraktari
authors.affiliation: University of Salzburg, Department of Cell Biology, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Nikolaus
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bresgen
authors.affiliation: University of Salzburg, Department of Cell Biology, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Eckl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D063826:Kosovo / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: H1N1; Kosovo; Patients; Phenotype; Susceptibility