Renal, cardiac, neurological, cutaneous and coagulopathic long-term manifestations of COVID-19 after recovery; A review

Epidemiol Infect. 2022 Sep 21:150:e208. doi: 10.1017/S0950268822001480.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the novel global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease outbreak. Its pathogenesis is mostly located in the respiratory tract. However, other organs are also affected. Hence, realising how such a complex disturbance affects patients after recovery is crucial. Regarding the significance of control of COVID-19-related complications after recovery, the current study was designed to review the cellular and molecular mechanisms linking COVID-19 to significant long-term signs including renal and cardiac complications, cutaneous and neurological manifestations, as well as blood coagulation disorders. This virus can directly influence on the cells through Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) to induce cytokine storm. Acute release of Interleukin-1 (IL1), IL6 and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) have been related to elevating risk of heart failure. Also, inflammatory cytokines like IL-8 and Tumour necrosis factor-α cause the secretion of von Willebrand factor (VWF) from human endothelial cells and then VWF binds to Neutrophil extracellular traps to induce thrombosis. On the other hand, the virus can damage the blood-brain barrier by increasing its permeability and subsequently enters into the central nervous system and the systemic circulation. Furthermore, SARS-induced ACE2-deficiency decreases [des-Arg9]-bradykinin (desArg9-BK) degradation in kidneys to induce inflammation, thrombotic problems, fibrosis and necrosis. Notably, the angiotensin II-angiotensin II type 1 receptor binding causes an increase in aldosterone and mineralocorticoid receptors on the surface of dendritic cells cells, leading to recalling macrophage and monocyte into inflammatory sites of skin. In conclusions, all the pathways play a key role in the pathogenesis of these disturbances. Nevertheless, more investigations are necessary to determine more pathogenetic mechanisms of the virus.

Keywords: Blood coagulation disorders; COVID-19; cardiac disease; kidney; neurological disorder; skin diseases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Coagulation Disorders*
  • COVID-19* / complications
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Heart Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Kidney Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Nervous System Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome* / epidemiology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / pathogenicity
  • Skin Diseases* / epidemiology