Impact of novel coronavirus infection on urogenital system. Immunonutrition as a method of pathogenetic therapy in patients with COVID-19

Abstract

On December 12, 2019, the novel coronavirus was identified in Wuhan, China, which caused the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (COVID-19) in human population, spreading rapidly all over the world; on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared the current situation a pandemic. COVID-19 is considered a systemic disease. Kidney may be one of the targets, since the virus enters the cells via angiotensin-converting enzyme receptor, which is present in kidney. The evidence of the kidney cells’ viral invasion is provided by the large number of renal dysfunction cases in patients with COVID-19. Etiotropic therapy for COVID-19 has not been developed; antibiotics are not useful for this infection. It is advisable to improve the immunity of the microorganism, primarily by vaccination, but also by normalization of the intestinal microbiota and the micronutrients’ balance recovery. Vitamins C and E, trace elements selenium and zinc significantly increase the body's resistance to viral infection. The rapid increase in the number of resistant pathogens is expected due to increased antibiotic use for treatment of COVID-19. The overall impact of the pandemic could be assessed later. Currently, the strictest approach is required to prescribing antibacterial drugs to patients with infectious and inflammatory diseases of the urogenital system. If etiotropic antibiotic therapy is unavoidable, it should be supported by pathogenetic therapy. The immune-stimulatory nutraceuticals should be prescribed.

Keywords

• coronavirus
• urological care
• treatment
• infections
• urogenital infections