Hypersensitivity in the lungs is responsible for acute respiratory failure in COVID-19 patients: Case series of patients who received high-dose/short-term methylprednisolone.
Clin Transl Allergy
; 11(7): e12056, 2021 Aug.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1372706
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Patients with severe disease have a high fatality rate and face a huge medical burden due to the need for invasive mechanical ventilation. Hypoxic respiratory failure is the major cause of death in these patients. There are currently no specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs, and the effect of corticosteroids is still controversial.METHODS:
The clinical data of 102 COVID-19 patients, including 27 patients with severe disease, were analyzed. The serum levels of total IgE and anti-SARS-CoV-2 specific IgE were compared in healthy controls and COVID-19 patients, changes in the level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 specific IgE and clinical response to methylprednisolone (MP) treatment were analyzed, and the effect of high-dose/short-term MP therapy for patients with critical illness and respiratory failure was determined.RESULTS:
COVID-19 patients had elevated serum levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 specific IgE, and patients with severe disease, especially critical illness, had even higher levels. Application of short-term/high-dose MP significantly reduced the level of these IgE antibodies and also blocked the progression of hypoxic respiratory failure. Hypoxic respiratory failure in patients with COVID-19 is related to pulmonary hypersensitivity.CONCLUSIONS:
Hypersensitivity in the lungs is responsible for acute respiratory failure in COVID-19 patients. Application of high-dose/short-term MP appears to be an effective life-saving method for COVID-19 patients who have hypoxic respiratory failure.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Language:
English
Journal:
Clin Transl Allergy
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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