Looking beyond pulmonary disease in COVID-19: A lesson from patients with cystic fibrosis

Med Hypotheses. 2021 Feb:147:110481. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110481. Epub 2021 Jan 4.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused more than 52.775.271 million confirmed cases, 1.293.106 deaths, globally, and afflicted 208 countries, areas, or territories; and almost three months have passed since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a pandemic. Despite the dramatic and global impact of the Coronavirus, the knowledge about the SARS-CoV-2 infection has been improved remarkably. Herein, we provided the rationale for SARS-CoV-2 infection as endothelial dysfunction rather than respiratory disease. Accordingly, we strongly invited the researchers to look beyond pulmonary injury and shift their attention from respiratory disease to endothelial disorder. This strategy could be particularly relevant to identifying therapeutic weapons stabilizing the endothelium rather than the lungs.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cystic fibrosis; Endothelial dysfunction; Pulmonary disease; SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Critical Illness
  • Cystic Fibrosis / complications*
  • Cystic Fibrosis / drug therapy*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Lung
  • Lung Diseases / complications*
  • Lung Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Pandemics

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antiviral Agents
  • tocilizumab