Is COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome-induced consumption leukocytopenia the possible cause of delayed sepsis?

Abstract

The adaptive immune response is crucial in limiting SARS-CoV-2 infections. The body's immune system becomes hyperinflated when infected organs are not eradicated, which results in a cytokine storm. With chronic SARS-CoV-2 infection, the natural killer cells and T-cells become depleted, and start decreasing their count, leading to severe lymphopenia. The possible explanation could be (1) cytopathic effect of the virus over target cells, (2) bone marrow suppression, (3) increased consumption of leukocytes, and (4) apoptosis of target cells. This unique finding of cytokine storm-induced leukocytopenia in COVID-19 patients creates a fertile environment for superadded bacterial infection.

Keywords

• bone marrow
• covid-19
• neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio
• sepsis