NEDD4 (FC = + 2.06, p ≤ 0.005), WWP1 (FC = + 1.85, p ≤ 0.0005), WWP2 (FC = + 4.11; p < 0.005) and SMURF1 (FC = + 1.7, p ≤ 0.05) showed a significant overexpression in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs of COVID-19 positive patients compared to negative patients (Fig. 2A–D). The gene discussed is SMURF1; the disease is COVID-19.