Random-effects meta-analysis of seven studies, comprised of 1,123 cases (728 COVID-19 and 395 controls), showed that Gal-3 levels were significantly higher in COVID-19 cases compared to healthy controls (SMD 0.53, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.96, P = 0.02, Figure 2). This evidence concerns the gene LGALS3 and COVID-19.