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Simonini L, Frijia F, Ait Ali L, Foffa I, Vecoli C, De Gori C, De Cori S, Baroni M, Aquaro GD, Maremmani C, Lombardo F. A Comprehensive Review of COVID-19-Related Olfactory Deficiency: Unraveling Associations with Neurocognitive Disorders and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:359. [PMID: 38396398 PMCID: PMC10888385 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14040359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is one of the most common symptoms in COVID-19 patients and can impact patients' lives significantly. The aim of this review was to investigate the multifaceted impact of COVID-19 on the olfactory system and to provide an overview of magnetic resonance (MRI) findings and neurocognitive disorders in patients with COVID-19-related OD. Extensive searches were conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar until 5 December 2023. The included articles were 12 observational studies and 1 case report that assess structural changes in olfactory structures, highlighted through MRI, and 10 studies correlating the loss of smell with neurocognitive disorders or mood disorders in COVID-19 patients. MRI findings consistently indicate volumetric abnormalities, altered signal intensity of olfactory bulbs (OBs), and anomalies in the olfactory cortex among COVID-19 patients with persistent OD. The correlation between OD and neurocognitive deficits reveals associations with cognitive impairment, memory deficits, and persistent depressive symptoms. Treatment approaches, including olfactory training and pharmacological interventions, are discussed, emphasizing the need for sustained therapeutic interventions. This review points out several limitations in the current literature while exploring the intricate effects of COVID-19 on OD and its connection to cognitive deficits and mood disorders. The lack of objective olfactory measurements in some studies and potential validity issues in self-reports emphasize the need for cautious interpretation. Our research highlights the critical need for extensive studies with larger samples, proper controls, and objective measurements to deepen our understanding of COVID-19's long-term effects on neurological and olfactory dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Simonini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), 54100 Massa, Italy; (I.F.); (C.V.)
| | - Francesca Frijia
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione Toscana G. Monasterio, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Lamia Ait Ali
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), 54100 Massa, Italy; (I.F.); (C.V.)
- Pediatric Cardiology and GUCH Unit, Fondazione “G. Monasterio” CNR-Regione Toscana, 54100 Massa, Italy
| | - Ilenia Foffa
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), 54100 Massa, Italy; (I.F.); (C.V.)
| | - Cecilia Vecoli
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), 54100 Massa, Italy; (I.F.); (C.V.)
| | - Carmelo De Gori
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.D.G.); (S.D.C.); (F.L.)
| | - Sara De Cori
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.D.G.); (S.D.C.); (F.L.)
| | - Monica Baroni
- Fondazione “G. Monasterio” CNR-Regione Toscana, 54100 Massa, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Donato Aquaro
- Academic Radiology Unit, Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Carlo Maremmani
- Unit of Neurology, Ospedale Apuane, Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest, 54100 Massa, Italy;
| | - Francesco Lombardo
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.D.G.); (S.D.C.); (F.L.)
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Simonini L, Sbrana S, Foffa I, Baroni M, Catapano G, Chiappino D, Grigoratos C, Marrone C, Losi P, Mannucci F, Salvadori S, Todiere G, Valenti E, Ait-Ali L, Aquaro GD. Relationships between plasma cytokine balance and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in long-term post-COVID follow-up: a cross-sectional preliminary study. Eur Heart J 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac544.245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
COVID-19 infection can lead to a constellation of long-lasting post-infectious sequelae, including myocardial dysfunction, whose outcome is strongly affected by a fine-tuned balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory systemic immune responses. Plasma cytokines are key mediators of this immunological balance. In this preliminary study we evaluated the cross-sectional association between the circulating levels of the main pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) abnormalities.
Methods
71 subjects (59% female, mean age 52±14) with previous diagnosis of COVID-19 infection were enrolled at our institution for MULTICOVID protocol, comprehensive of CMR and biomarkers assessment performed >3 months and <1 year following the first negative swab test. CMR protocols consisted of conventional sequences (cine, T2-weighted imaging, and late gadolinium enhancement [LGE]) and quantitative mapping sequences (T1, T2, and extracellular volume [ECV] mapping). Plasma levels of cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-1α, IFN-α2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-18, IP-10, MIG and MCP-1 were quantified by Multiplex Immunoassays on the Luminex technology platform. Soluble cardiologic and biochemical biomarkers were measured by routine laboratory analysis.
Results
After a median of 9 (IQR 6–11) months following negative swab, CMR was normal in 48 subjects, while in 23 (32%) it revealed tissue characterization abnormalities (myocardial late enhancement and/or edema). By multivariate regression analysis (adjusted for age, sex, vaccination, severity degrees of the initial COVID disease, presence of comorbidities, smoke, time interval between COVID diagnosis and CMR assessment) the cytokine ratio TNF-α/(IL-10+IL-13) was independently associated (OR=2.89, 95% CI 1.19–7.04, p=0.02) with CMR abnormalities. Interestingly, the cumulative pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine ratio (IL-1β+TNF-α+IFN-α2+IL-6+IL-17A+IL-8)/(IL-10+IL-13) showed a positive (OR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.04–2.75) and significant (p=0.03) association with CMR imaging aspects. Also, the ratio IFN-α2/(IL-10+IL-13), although without achieving a complete statistical significance (p=0.09), was associated positively with CMR findings.
Conclusions
The preliminary results of this cross-sectional study suggest that the systemic inflammatory environment, long-lasting unbalanced towards a prevalent cytokine-driven pro-inflammatory condition following COVID infection, could affect the development of CMR-detectable myocardial edema and fibrosis in long-term post-COVID subjects.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Tuscany Region
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Affiliation(s)
- L Simonini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC) , Pisa , Italy
| | - S Sbrana
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC) , Pisa , Italy
| | - I Foffa
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC) , Pisa , Italy
| | - M Baroni
- Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio , Massa , Italy
| | - G Catapano
- Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio , Pisa , Italy
| | - D Chiappino
- Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio , Massa , Italy
| | - C Grigoratos
- Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio , Pisa , Italy
| | - C Marrone
- Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio , Massa , Italy
| | - P Losi
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC) , Pisa , Italy
| | - F Mannucci
- Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio , Pisa , Italy
| | - S Salvadori
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC) , Pisa , Italy
| | - G Todiere
- Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio , Pisa , Italy
| | - E Valenti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC) , Pisa , Italy
| | - L Ait-Ali
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC) , Pisa , Italy
| | - G D Aquaro
- Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio , Pisa , Italy
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