The effect of SARS coronavirus on blood system: its clinical findings and the pathophysiologic hypothesis.
- Author:
Mo YANG
1
;
Kam-Lun E HON
;
Karen LI
;
Tai-Fai FOK
;
Chi-Kong LI
Author Information
1. Department of Paediatrics, The Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. yang1091@cuhk.edu.hk
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Adult;
Antigens, CD;
immunology;
Antigens, Differentiation;
immunology;
CD13 Antigens;
immunology;
Cell Adhesion Molecules;
Child;
Hematologic Diseases;
immunology;
physiopathology;
Hematopoiesis;
physiology;
Humans;
SARS Virus;
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome;
immunology;
physiopathology;
virology
- From:
Journal of Experimental Hematology
2003;11(3):217-221
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has recently recognized as a new human infectious disease. A novel coronavirus was identified as the causative agent of SARS. This report summarizes the hematological findings in SARS patients and proposes a hypothesis for the pathophysiology of SARS coronavirus related abnormal hematopoiesis. Hematological changes in patients with SARS were common and included lymphopenia (68% - 90% of adults; 100% of children, n = 10), thrombocytopenia (20% - 45% of adults, 50% of children), and leukopenia (20% - 34% of adults, 70% of children). The possible mechanisms of this coronavirus on blood system may include (1) directly infect blood cells and bone marrow stromal cells via CD13 or CD66a; and/or (2) induce auto-antibodies and immune complexes to damage these cells. In addition, lung damage in SARS patients may also play a role on inducing thrombocytopenia by (1) increasing the consumption of platelets/megakaryocytes; and/or (2) reducing the production of platelets in the lungs. Since the most common hematological changes in SARS patients were lymphopenia and immunodeficiency. We postulate that hematopoietic growth factors such as G-CSF, by mobilizing endogenous blood stem cells and endogenous cytokines, could become a hematological treatment for SARS patients, which may enhance the immune system against these virus.
