Blocking IL-1 to prevent respiratory failure in COVID-19

Abstract COVID-19 is an emerging disease that can manifest itself as asymptomatic or mild respiratory tract infection in the majority of individuals, but in some, it can progress into severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Inflammation is known to play a crucial role in the...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Frank L. van de Veerdonk, Mihai G. Netea
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2020-07-01
Series:Critical Care
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13054-020-03166-0
Description
Summary:Abstract COVID-19 is an emerging disease that can manifest itself as asymptomatic or mild respiratory tract infection in the majority of individuals, but in some, it can progress into severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Inflammation is known to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of severe infections and ARDS and evidence is emerging that the IL-1/IL-6 pathway is highly upregulated in patients with severe disease. These findings open new avenues for host-directed therapies in patients with symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and might in addition to antiviral treatment be enough to curb the currently unacceptably high morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19.
ISSN:1364-8535