4 ms·
In my opinion, there are several paradoxes linked to COVID-19 that ought to be researched quickly to help screening susceptible individuals and drug development
by nextos 7y ago
In my opinion, there are several paradoxes linked to COVID-19 that ought to be researched quickly to help screening susceptible individuals and drug development.
Children seem immune, which is in stark contrast with common flu. Furthermore, lots of patients that recover from COVID-19 have severe lung damage. Interestingly, I have seen reports of an inverse correlation between lymphocyte count and survival. To me this suggests some autoimmune damage in critically ill patients. Understanding host genetics (HLA) and viral mimotopes is a must. No idea why this is not being done.
Tocilizumab, a drug for rheumatoid arthritis, has been repurposed against COVID-19 in Italy, with promising preliminary results. This seems in line with the autoimmune hypothesis I outlined. Other autoimmune disease drugs are getting repurposed too, but there is a lack of basic principles understanding.