Immunological response to COVID-۱۹ and its role as a predisposing factor in invasive aspergillosis

The world is involved with a pandemic coronavirus disease ۲۰۱۹ (COVID-۱۹) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus ۲. The clinical manifestations of reported COVID-۱۹-associated pulmonary impairments range from asymptomatic infections to a pneumonia-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome that requires mechanical ventilation. Fungal superinfections complicating the clinical course remain underexplored. Angiotensin-converting enzyme ۲, the receptor for COVID-۱۹ that is mainly expressed in airway epithelia and lung parenchyma, is considered an important regulator of innate immunity. With regard to the viral-cell interaction, imbalanced immune regulation between protective and altered responses caused by the exacerbation of inflammatory responses should be considered a major contributor to secondary pulmonary aspergillosis. In addition, the complex inherited factors, age-related changes, and lifestyle may also affect immune responses. The complication and persistence of invasive aspergillosis have been well described in patients with severe influenza or COVID-۱۹. However, there is a scarcity of information about the immunological mechanisms predisposing patients with COVID-۱۹ to fungal co-infections. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the aforementioned domain.

Keywords:

Aspergillosis , Aspergillus fumigatus , Immune responses , SARS-CoV-۲