COVID-19-associated neutrophilia
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Oluwabusola Fausat Adogba, MD
Synonyms and keywords:
Overview
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been considered as a global pandemic since its first emergence in Wuhan,China.
- On March 12, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.
- There is no established system for the classification regarding COVID-19 related neutrophilia.
Historical Perspective
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been considered as a global pandemic since its first emergence in Wuhan,China.[1]
- On March 12, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.
Classification
There is no established system for the classification regarding COVID-19 related neutrophilia.
Causes
- Research suggests COVID-19 associated neutrophilia could be the cause of the severe symptoms of COVID-19, including Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). It can be linked to the Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs). Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), pulmonary inflammation, thick mucus secretions in the airways, extensive lung damage, and blood clots are suggested to be as a result of the action of Neutrophils. When neutrophils detect pathogens, they can expel their DNA in a web laced with toxic enzymes (called a NET- Neutrophil Extracellular Trap) to attack them.
- These NETs capture and digest the unwanted pathogen but in cases of ARDS (Covid-19 manifestation) they cause damage to the lungs and other organs. [2]
COVID-19 related Neutrophilia starts acutely in the course of the disease, with other manifestations of the disease.
Epidemiology and Demographics
- The incidence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as of June 28, 2020 is approximately 9,843,073 cases worldwide with 495,760 deaths.[3]
- Patients of all age groups may develop COVID-19. However, the elderly population and immunocompromised individuals are more likely to develop severe cases of COVID-19.
Risk Factors
People of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. These medical conditions include:[4]
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
- Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or higher)
- Serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Screening
- COVID-19 related Neutrophilia cannot be prevented.
- The Centers for Disease Control CDC has developed a laboratory test to help estimate how many people in the United States have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. [5]
- This is known as the serology test, and many commercial laboratories call it an antibody test.
- CDC is using this serologic (antibody) test to evaluate the performance of commercial antibody tests. CDC will develop guidance for the use of antibody tests in clinical and public health settings.
- An antibody test looks for the presence of antibodies, which are specific proteins made in response to infections. Antibodies are detected in the blood of people who are tested after infection; they show an immune response to the infection.
- Antibody test results are especially important for detecting previous infections in people who had few or no symptoms.
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
- Common hematologic complications of coronavirus include lymphopenia, neutrophilia and thrombocytosis.
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Neutrophilia as a result of COVID-19 can present with different symptoms. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:[6]
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea