Geographic components of SARS-CoV-2 expansion: a hypothesis.
J Appl Physiol (1985)
; 129(2): 257-262, 2020 08 01.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-670695
ABSTRACT
The emergence of COVID-19 infection (caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus) in Wuhan, China in the latter part of 2019 has, within a relatively short time, led to a global pandemic. Amidst the initial spread of SARS-CoV-2 across Asia, an epidemiologic trend emerged in relation to high altitude (HA) populations. Compared with the rest of Asia, SARS-CoV-2 exhibited attenuated rates of expansion with limited COVID-19 infection severity along the Tibetan plateau. These characteristics were soon evident in additional HA regions across Bolivia, central Ecuador, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Sichuan province of mainland China. This mini-review presents a discussion surrounding attributes of the HA environment, aspects of HA physiology, as well as, genetic variations among HA populations which may provide clues for this pattern of SARS-CoV-2 expansion and COVID-19 infection severity. Explanations are provided in the hypothetical, albeit relevant historical evidence is provided to create a foundation for future research.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Altitude
/
Pandemics
/
Betacoronavirus
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Asia
/
Bolivia
Language:
English
Journal:
J Appl Physiol (1985)
Journal subject:
Physiology
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Japplphysiol.00362.2020
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