SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 in asthmatics: a complex relationship

Nat Rev Immunol. 2021 Apr;21(4):202-203. doi: 10.1038/s41577-021-00516-z.

Abstract

Risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is increased in patients with certain comorbidities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). By contrast, epidemiological data from many (but not all) countries indicate a low prevalence of asthma among patients with severe COVID-19. This reduced risk of severe COVID-19 may apply specifically to patients with the type 2 asthma endotype, which is most common in childhood asthma.

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / genetics
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / metabolism
  • Asthma / epidemiology*
  • Asthma / immunology*
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • Eosinophilia / immunology
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-13 / immunology
  • Interleukin-4 / immunology
  • Interleukin-5 / immunology
  • Phenotype
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / epidemiology
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / immunology
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Coronavirus / genetics
  • Receptors, Coronavirus / metabolism
  • Risk
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th17 Cells / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology

Substances

  • Interleukin-13
  • Interleukin-5
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Coronavirus
  • Interleukin-4
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2