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Basic immunology may lead to translational therapeutic rationale: SARS‐CoV‐2 and rheumatic diseases
Author(s) -
Gremese Elisa,
Ferraccioli Edoardo Sean,
Alivernini Stefano,
Tolusso Barbara,
Ferraccioli Gianfranco
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1111/eci.13342
Subject(s) - immunology , medicine , convalescence , rheumatoid arthritis , hydroxychloroquine , arthritis , covid-19 , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty)
COVID‐19 pandemia is a major concern for patients and healthcare systems. The fear of infection by patients with concomitant rheumatic diseases (either adult or children) and connective tissue diseases is arising worldwide, because of their immunological background and immunological therapies. Analysing the basic biology of single diseases, the data suggest that there is an "immunological umbrella" that seems to protect against the infection, through IFN type 1 and NK cell function. To date, reports from China, United States and Europe did not reveal an higher risk of infection, either for rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis nor for lupus erythematosus. Antimalarials, anti‐IL6‐Anti‐IL6 receptor, anti‐IL1, anti‐GM‐CSF receptor and JAK1/2/3 inhibitors, are under investigation in COVID‐dedicated clinical trials to control the inflammation raised by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Initial reports on the occurrence of autoimmune phenomena in the convalescence phase of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection suggests that the immunological consequences of the infection need to be strictly understood. Reporting of the study conforms to broad EQUATOR guidelines (Simera et al January 2010 issue of EJCI).