Inflamm Res . Association of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency with vitamin D status: who is most at risk of getting severe COVID-19?

[tetano]

Inflamm Res


. 2021 Mar 19.
doi: 10.1007/s00011-021-01456-z. Online ahead of print.
Association of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency with vitamin D status: who is most at risk of getting severe COVID-19?


Ghazaleh Shimi ¹ , Hamid Zand ²



Affiliations

• PMID: 33740066
• DOI: 10.1007/s00011-021-01456-z

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a new disease that we do not know yet how to treat, is rapidly evolving and has forced us to stay indoors. Surprisingly, a broad range of symptoms has been reported since COVID-19 emergence. Individual variations in susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 can be due to non-genetic and genetic factors. Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is an inherited condition that is associated with an increased risk of liver and lung diseases which may increase susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. At the same time, there could be a possibility of developing non-hereditary AATD.
Discussion: In addition to some evidence showing the role of vitamin D deficiency in COVID-19 pathology, it has been recognized that there is a biological link between AAT and vitamin D. Therefore, here we offer a new perspective that lower vitamin D levels in COVID-19 patients can cause acquired AATD that provide a condition with more disease severity and a higher risk of death. As a consequence, COVID-19 individuals with vitamin D deficiency may have a higher risk of morbidity and mortality.
Conclusion: Therefore, early vitamin D and AAT assessments and optimal interventions could be helpful to prevent severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Keywords: Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency; Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19); Vitamin D.