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Rizzi M, Sainaghi PP. COVID-19: Lessons Learned from Molecular and Clinical Research. Int J Mol Sci 2025; 26:616. [PMID: 39859329 PMCID: PMC11765519 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26020616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2024] [Revised: 01/07/2025] [Accepted: 01/10/2025] [Indexed: 01/27/2025] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 virus, the etiological agent of the novel coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), was first identified in late 2019, following the sudden appearance of a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown origin in China [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rizzi
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy
- IRCAD (Interdisciplinary Research Center of Autoimmune Diseases), Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Sainaghi
- IRCAD (Interdisciplinary Research Center of Autoimmune Diseases), Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy
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Donald J, Bilasy SE, Yang C, El-Shamy A. Exploring the Complexities of Long COVID. Viruses 2024; 16:1060. [PMID: 39066223 PMCID: PMC11281588 DOI: 10.3390/v16071060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in 2019, nearly 700 million COVID-19 cases and 7 million deaths have been reported globally. Despite most individuals recovering within four weeks, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 7.5% to 41% develop post-acute infection syndrome (PAIS), known as 'Long COVID'. This review provides current statistics on Long COVID's prevalence, explores hypotheses concerning epidemiological factors, such as age, gender, comorbidities, initial COVID-19 severity, and vaccine interactions, and delves into potential mechanisms, including immune responses, viral persistence, and gut dysbiosis. Moreover, we conclude that women, advanced age, comorbidities, non-vaccination, and low socioeconomic status all appear to be risk factors. The reasons for these differences are still not fully understood and likely involve a complex relationship between social, genetic, hormonal, and other factors. Furthermore, individuals with Long COVID-19 seem more likely to endure economic hardship due to persistent symptoms. In summary, our findings further illustrate the multifaceted nature of Long COVID and underscore the importance of understanding the epidemiological factors and potential mechanisms needed to develop effective therapeutic strategies and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson Donald
- College of Graduate Studies, California Northstate University, 9700 West Taron Drive, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (J.D.); (C.Y.)
| | - Shymaa E. Bilasy
- College of Dental Medicine, California Northstate University, 9700 West Taron Drive, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA;
| | - Catherine Yang
- College of Graduate Studies, California Northstate University, 9700 West Taron Drive, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (J.D.); (C.Y.)
| | - Ahmed El-Shamy
- College of Graduate Studies, California Northstate University, 9700 West Taron Drive, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (J.D.); (C.Y.)
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Rizzi M, Avellis V, Messina A, Germano C, Tavella E, Dodaro V, Vitale R, Revelli A, Zola P, Picone S, Paolillo PM, Mondì V, Masturzo B, Manzoni P, Sainaghi PP. Vitamin D Supplementation in Neonatal and Infant MIS-C Following COVID-19 Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3712. [PMID: 38612523 PMCID: PMC11011671 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
To date, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic still represents a great clinical challenge worldwide, and effective anti-COVID-19 drugs are limited. For this reason, nutritional supplements have been investigated as adjuvant therapeutic approaches in disease management. Among such supplements, vitamin D has gained great interest, due to its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory actions both in adult and pediatric populations. Even if there is conflicting evidence about its prevention and/or mitigation effectiveness in SARS-CoV-2 infection, several studies demonstrated a strict correlation between hypovitaminosis D and disease severity in acute COVID-19 and MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children). This narrative review offers a resume of the state of the art about vitamin D's role in immunity and its clinical use in the context of the current pandemic, specially focusing on pediatric manifestations and MIS-C. It seems biologically reasonable that interventions aimed at normalizing circulating vitamin D levels could be beneficial. To help clinicians in establishing the correct prophylaxis and/or supportive therapy with vitamin D, well-designed and adequately statistically powered clinical trials involving both adult and pediatric populations are needed. Moreover, this review will also discuss the few other nutraceuticals evaluated in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rizzi
- Department of Health Sciences (DiSS), Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy
- IRCAD (Interdisciplinary Research Center of Autoimmune Diseases), Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Avellis
- School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
| | - Alessandro Messina
- School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
| | - Chiara Germano
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
- Department of Maternal, Neonatal and Infant Medicine, University Hospital “Degli Infermi”, 13875 Ponderano, Italy
| | - Elena Tavella
- School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
| | - Valentina Dodaro
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
| | - Raffaele Vitale
- School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
| | - Alberto Revelli
- School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
| | - Paolo Zola
- School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
| | - Simonetta Picone
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Policlinico Casilino, 00169 Rome, Italy
| | - Pier Michele Paolillo
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Policlinico Casilino, 00169 Rome, Italy
| | - Vito Mondì
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Policlinico Casilino, 00169 Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca Masturzo
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
- Department of Maternal, Neonatal and Infant Medicine, University Hospital “Degli Infermi”, 13875 Ponderano, Italy
| | - Paolo Manzoni
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
- Department of Maternal, Neonatal and Infant Medicine, University Hospital “Degli Infermi”, 13875 Ponderano, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Sainaghi
- IRCAD (Interdisciplinary Research Center of Autoimmune Diseases), Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine (DiMeT), Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy
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