Radiological and pathological examinations of patients with the SARS-Cov-21 virus in China revealed inflammatory pulmonary reactions similar to those seen in hypersensitive pneumonia, a type of pulmonary fibrosis. This observation is different from the one found in other viral pneumonias that do not develop in the same way. In patients with inefficient innate immune systems, such as the elderly, SARS-Cov-2 could lead to acute hypersensitive pneumonia.
The aim of the teams of Dr. Maria Jesus Cruz and Dr. Ferrer at Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona is to provide knowledge on factors that may influence the development of pulmonary fibrosis in COVID-19. Their study involves 160 patients. Any innate and adaptive immunity biomarkers capable of predicting progression of the disease are also analyzed. The end goal is to improve the therapeutic approach for patients with severe infection. If there is a similarity with other types of pulmonary fibrosis, patients may benefit from treatments that have already proven effective or may receive new anti-fibrosis treatments.
The Air Liquide Foundation is assisting with the purchase of laboratory equipment, performance of biomarker analyses and statistical analyses, as well as funding for staff monitoring patients.
1SARS-Cov-2: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2