Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is highly pathogenic with relatively high mortality and morbidity. In addition to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and microembolic disorder, a high proportion of patients with SARS-CoV-2 develop lymphopenia and cytokine storm disorder. This review explores the underlying mechanisms behind the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2, especially the immune mechanisms, which could be potentially used as therapeutic targets for the management of COVID-19.
Keywords: COVID-19; Cytokine storm syndrome; Immune response; Lymphopenia.