Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 13, 2025

Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device
09:36

Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device

Published on: September 24, 2020

3.0K

Coronavirus disease 2019 in critically ill patients: can we re-program the immune system? A primer for Intensivists

Fiorenza Ferrari1,2, Federico Visconti3, Mara De Amici4

  • 1Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, IRCCS San Matteo Hospital, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy - fioreferrari28@gmail.com.

Minerva Anestesiologica
|August 6, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The immune response is key to controlling Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Measuring cytokine levels and lymphocyte subsets can help manage critically ill COVID-19 patients and guide new therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in late 2019, causing a global pandemic.
  • Multiorgan damage in COVID-19 may result from direct viral effects or a dysregulated host immune response.
  • Critically ill patients often exhibit a "cytokine storm" and impaired innate immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the immune response mechanisms during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.
  • To highlight the clinical significance of monitoring immune markers in severe COVID-19.
  • To support the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review summarizing current understanding of SARS-CoV-2 immunology.
  • Analysis of immune system's role in COVID-19 pathogenesis.
  • Discussion of diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

Main Results:

  • The immune response is critical for viral clearance but can also contribute to pathology.
  • Imbalances in cytokine production and lymphocyte populations are characteristic of severe COVID-19.
  • Plasma cytokine levels and circulating lymphocyte subsets are valuable indicators for patient management.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for effective treatment.
  • Monitoring specific immune markers can aid in the follow-up of critically ill COVID-19 patients.
  • Targeting immune dysregulation offers potential for new therapeutic interventions.

More Related Videos

An Educational Video Demonstration of How to Prone a Critically Ill Intubated Patient07:16

An Educational Video Demonstration of How to Prone a Critically Ill Intubated Patient

Published on: November 30, 2022

4.2K
Contact-Free Co-Culture Model for the Study of Innate Immune Cell Activation During Respiratory Virus Infection07:36

Contact-Free Co-Culture Model for the Study of Innate Immune Cell Activation During Respiratory Virus Infection

Published on: February 28, 2021

3.3K

Related Concept Videos

Acute Respiratory Failure-I01:21

Acute Respiratory Failure-I

Acute respiratory failure is a condition characterized by the inability of the lungs to perform their primary function: gas exchange. This failure leads to insufficient oxygen levels (hypoxemia) in the blood, elevated carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnia), or both, causing critical impairment in organ function.
Definition: It is defined by specific criteria based on blood gas measurements. Hypoxemia happens when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) falls below 60 mmHg. At the same time,...
637
Acute Respiratory Failure-II01:21

Acute Respiratory Failure-II

Type I Respiratory Failure, or hypoxemic respiratory failure, occurs when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in arterial blood falls below 60 mmHg while breathing room air without a corresponding increase in arterial carbon dioxide levels (PaCO2). This condition highlights a significant impairment in the lungs' capacity to oxygenate the blood.
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
859
Acute Respiratory Failure-III01:30

Acute Respiratory Failure-III

Hypercapnic respiratory failure, also known as Type 2 or ventilatory respiratory failure, is a severe condition characterized by the body's inability to effectively remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the bloodstream. It leads to an arterial CO2 pressure (PaCO2) exceeding 45 mmHg and a blood pH above 7.35. This situation indicates that the body's ventilatory demand, or the ventilation needed to maintain normal PaCO2 levels, surpasses its supply or the maximum gas flow achievable without...
597
Acute Respiratory Failure-V01:29

Acute Respiratory Failure-V

The treatment for acute respiratory failure varies based on factors like the underlying cause, overall health, and severity. A collaborative healthcare team is essential for early detection, often through arterial blood gas analysis. Identifying the cause is the primary goal, with treatment strategies adjusted for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, shunting, or diffusion impairment.
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
340
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
1.8K
Acute Respiratory Failure-IV01:23

Acute Respiratory Failure-IV

Respiratory failure can manifest suddenly or gradually, characterized by a rapid decline in PaO2 and a rapid rise in PaCO2. This situation indicates a severe respiratory problem that may quickly become a life-threatening emergency. One of the early signs of hypoxemic Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) is a change in mental status due to the brain's sensitivity to oxygen levels and changes in acid-base balance. Symptoms such as restlessness, confusion, and agitation suggest inadequate oxygen...
411