Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 12, 2025
Author Spotlight: Investigating the Pathophysiology of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Published on: May 10, 2024
Eosinophils and COVID-19: diagnosis, prognosis, and vaccination strategies
Helene F Rosenberg1, Paul S Foster2
1National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA. helene.f.rosenberg@gmail.com.
Insights
Eosinopenia may aid in diagnosing severe COVID-19, but it is not a definitive marker. Patients with eosinophil disorders, like asthma, do not face higher COVID-19 risks and may even have some protection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic prompted extensive research into diagnostics, risk factors, and treatments.
- Eosinopenia has emerged as a potential factor in diagnosing and predicting severe COVID-19 cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the role of eosinopenia in COVID-19 diagnosis and prognosis.
- To investigate the relationship between eosinophil-associated disorders and COVID-19 severity.
- To assess potential vaccine-associated inflammatory responses.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on eosinopenia and COVID-19.
- Analysis of clinical data regarding patients with eosinophil-associated disorders and COVID-19.
- Examination of preclinical and clinical data on vaccine-associated inflammatory responses.
Main Results:
- Eosinopenia is not a definitive or pathognomonic sign of COVID-19.
- Patients with asthma or other eosinophil disorders do not appear to have increased severe COVID-19 risk; asthma may offer protection.
- No significant vaccine-associated inflammatory complications, including eosinophil accumulation, have been reported with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.
Conclusions:
- Eosinopenia's utility in COVID-19 diagnosis and prognosis requires further validation.
- Pre-existing eosinophil conditions do not heighten COVID-19 severity, and asthma may be protective.
- Current COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have not shown the adverse inflammatory responses seen in preclinical studies of related coronaviruses.
Abstract:
The unprecedented impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in global challenges to our health-care systems and our economic security. As such, there has been significant research into all aspects of the disease, including diagnostic biomarkers, associated risk factors, and strategies that might be used for its treatment and prevention. Toward this end, eosinopenia has been identified as one of many factors that might facilitate the diagnosis and prognosis of severe COVID-19. However, this finding is neither definitive nor pathognomonic for COVID-19. While eosinophil-associated conditions have been misdiagnosed as COVID-19 and others are among its reported complications, patients with pre-existing eosinophil-associated disorders (e.g., asthma, eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders) do not appear to be at increased risk for severe disease; interestingly, several recent studies suggest that a diagnosis of asthma may be associated with some degree of protection. Finally, although vaccine-associated aberrant inflammatory responses, including eosinophil accumulation in the respiratory tract, were observed in preclinical immunization studies targeting the related SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV pathogens, no similar complications have been reported clinically in response to the widespread dissemination of either of the two encapsulated mRNA-based vaccines for COVID-19.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:26COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...