Disease heterogeneity and differential severities in COVID-19

Abstract

During the time of the ongoing worldwide pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), scientists are finding answers on the varying severities of the pandemic’s novel variants. One of the more intriguing aspects of this virus occurs in the presentation and severity of symptoms in patients. How does the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease have this wide-range prognosis from asymptomatic to fatal? This thesis examines some promising areas of investigation regarding the innate immune system and inflammatory factors in the role of severe COVID-19 cases. Various experimental findings regarding the possible connection between inflammation factors of the human innate immune system and the severity of COVID-19 will be described.

Keywords: Biology, COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, Innate Immune System, Inflammation, Interleukin-6, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Interferon Gamma, Lymphatic System, Neutrophils, Apoptosis, Asymptomatic, Proinflammatory Cytokines, C-Reactive Protein