A meta-analysis including 20 retrospective studies with 3428 COVID-19 patients revealed that higher serum levels of AST (mean difference = 8.84 U/l, 95% CI: 5.97–11.71, P < 0.001) and ALT (mean difference = 7.35 U/l, 95% CI: 4.77–9.93, P < 0.001) and lower serum levels of albumin (mean difference = −4.24 g/l, 95% CI: −6.20 to −2.28, P < 0.001) were associated with a significant increase in the severity of COVID-19 [17]. The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is COVID-19.