Effects of Beta-Thalassemia on COVID-19 Outcomes

Le résumé fourni par la source

Beta-thalassemia is a hemoglobinopathy caused by mutations in the beta-globin chain. This disrupts hemoglobin production and can potentially result in severe anemia. There has been a rise in COVID-19 cases over the last 2 years, with a predominant effect on the respiratory and vascular systems of the body. Since beta-thalassemia is the most common inherited single-gene disorder in the world, investigating the impact of COVID-19 on these patients is important. Some theories suggest that patients with beta-thalassemia will be more susceptible to COVID-19 and have worse outcomes due to their underlying comorbid conditions. However, majority of the literature found that beta-thalassemia is protective against COVID-19. This could be because SARS-CoV-2 proteins can attack the beta chain of normal hemoglobin, resulting in impaired oxygen transfer and increased ferritinemia. Thus, in hemoglobinopathies with beta-chain defects and low hepcidin levels, susceptibility to COVID-19 infection is potentially decreased. Higher levels of Hemoglobin F in thalassemia patients may also be protective against viral infections. Surprisingly, most studies and case reports focus on patients with beta-thalassemia major. There is yet much to learn about the outcomes of patients with thalassemia minor and other hemoglobinopathies.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.