Leptin deficiency, caused by malnutrition, makes you susceptible to sars-cov-2 infection but could offer protection from severe Covid-19
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Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Society for Microbiology
Abstract
In much of the developing world, severe malnutrition is the most prevalent cause of immunodeficiency and affects up to 50% of the population in some
impoverished communities. As yet, we do not know how severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) will behave in populations with immunodeficiency caused by malnourishment. Interestingly, researchers are now speculating
that, in some instances, a defective cellular immune system could paradoxically be a
protective factor against severe disease in certain patients contracting SARS-CoV and
SARS-CoV-2. This could be linked to the absence of T-cell activation. Based on available information presented here, it is plausible that the hyperimmune response, and
subsequent cytokine storm often associated with severe coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19), could be “counteracted” by the defective immune response seen in individuals with malnutrition-induced leptin deficiency. In this paper, we proposed a
theory that although those with malnutrition-linked leptin deficiency are at risk of
SARS-CoV-2 infection, they are at lower risk of developing severe COVID-19.
Description
Keywords
Covid-19, Undernutrition, Leptin deficiency, Cytokine storm, Malnutrition
Citation
Schoeman, D., & Fielding, B. C. (2021). Leptin deficiency, caused by malnutrition, makes you susceptible to sars-cov-2 infection but could offer protection from severe Covid-19. mSphere, 6(3), e00031-21, 1-6. 10.1128/mSphere.00031-21