Abstract
BackgroundSeveral immune mechanisms activate in COVID-19 pathogenesis. Usually, coronavirus infection is characterized by dysregulated host immune responses, interleukine-6 increase, hyper-activation of cytotoxic CD8 T lymphocytes. Interestingly, Vitamin D deficiency has been often associated with altered immune responses and infections. In the present study, we evaluated Vitamin D plasma levels in patients affected with different lung involvement during COVID-19 infection.MethodsLymphocyte phenotypes were assessed by flow cytometry. Thoracic CT scan involvement was obtained by an image analysis program.ResultsVitamin D levels were deficient in (80%) of patients, insufficient in (6.5%) and normal in (13.5%). Patients with very low Vitamin D plasma levels had more elevated D-Dimer values, a more elevated B lymphocyte cell count, a reduction of CD8 + T lymphocytes with a low CD4/CD8 ratio, more compromised clinical findings (measured by LIPI and SOFA scores) and thoracic CT scan involvement.ConclusionsVitamin D deficiency is associated with compromised inflammatory responses and higher pulmonary involvement in COVID-19 affected patients. Vitamin D assessment, during COVID-19 infection, could be a useful analysis for possible therapeutic interventions.Trial registration: 'retrospectively registered'.
Highlights
Several immune mechanisms activate in COVID-19 pathogenesis
It is known that enzymes catalyzing its activation and the Vitamin D (VitD) receptors (VDR), that mediates the actions of the vitamin itself, are widely distributed on the whole cell bodies and in particular in pulmonary alveolar epithelium and immune system
Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation, or number (%)
Summary
Several immune mechanisms activate in COVID-19 pathogenesis. Coronavirus infection is characterized by dysregulated host immune responses, interleukine-6 increase, hyper-activation of cytotoxic CD8 T lymphocytes. Vitamin D deficiency has been often associated with altered immune responses and infections. We evaluated Vitamin D plasma levels in patients affected with different lung involvement during COVID-19 infection. It is known that enzymes catalyzing its activation and the VitD receptors (VDR), that mediates the actions of the vitamin itself, are widely distributed on the whole cell bodies and in particular in pulmonary alveolar epithelium and immune system. VitD insufficiency has been related to viral infections of the lower respiratory tract [7] and to exacerbation in chronic obstructive lung diseases and asthma [5, 6]
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