Silent hypoxia in COVID-19: a gut microbiota connection

Curr Opin Physiol. 2021 Oct:23:100456. doi: 10.1016/j.cophys.2021.06.010. Epub 2021 Jul 6.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has triggered the COVID-19 pandemic. Several factors induce hypoxia in COVID-19. Despite being hypoxic, some SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals do not experience any respiratory distress, a phenomenon termed 'silent (or happy) hypoxia'. Prolonged undetected hypoxia could be dangerous, sometimes leading to death. A few studies attempted to unravel what causes silent hypoxia, however, the exact mechanisms are still elusive. Here, we aim to understand how SARS-CoV-2 causes silent hypoxia.

Publication types

  • Review