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Pathophysiology of COVID-19: Mechanisms Underlying Disease Severity and Progression

Mary Kathryn Bohn1,2, Alexandra Hall1, Lusia Sepiashvili1,2

  • 1Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Physiology (Bethesda, Md.)
|August 14, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This review explores the mechanisms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) progression, from viral entry to organ failure. It examines the immune response

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a wide range of clinical severity globally.
  • While clinical and laboratory features are known, the pathophysiology of COVID-19 progression is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review proposed mechanisms contributing to COVID-19 progression.
  • To highlight the role of the immune response in COVID-19 outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of proposed pathophysiological mechanisms.
  • Analysis of the immune system's role in viral clearance versus fatal outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Key mechanisms from viral entry to multisystem organ failure are discussed.
  • The immune response is central to determining COVID-19 patient outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for managing COVID-19 severity.
  • Further research into immune system modulation may improve patient survival.

Keywords:
COVID-19coagulationcytokine stormmultisystem organ failurepathophysiolog

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