Effects of Beta-Thalassemia on COVID-19 Outcomes
Beta-thalassemia is a hemoglobinopathy caused by mutations in the beta-globin chain. This disrupts hemoglobin production and can potentially result in severe anemia. There has been a rise in COVID-19 cases over the last 2 years, with a predominant effect on the respiratory and vascular systems of th...
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| Autores principales: | , , , |
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| Formato: | Capítulo de libro |
| Lenguaje: | inglés |
| Publicado: |
IntechOpen
2023
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/86064 |
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| Sumario: | Beta-thalassemia is a hemoglobinopathy caused by mutations in the beta-globin chain. This disrupts hemoglobin production and can potentially result in severe anemia. There has been a rise in COVID-19 cases over the last 2 years, with a predominant effect on the respiratory and vascular systems of the body. Since beta-thalassemia is the most common inherited single-gene disorder in the world, investigating the impact of COVID-19 on these patients is important. Some theories suggest that patients with beta-thalassemia will be more susceptible to COVID-19 and have worse outcomes due to their underlying comorbid conditions. However, majority of the literature found that beta-thalassemia is protective against COVID-19. This could be because SARS-CoV-2 proteins can attack the beta chain of normal hemoglobin, resulting in impaired oxygen transfer and increased ferritinemia. Thus, in hemoglobinopathies with beta-chain defects and low hepcidin levels, susceptibility to COVID-19 infection is potentially decreased. Higher levels of Hemoglobin F in thalassemia patients may also be protective against viral infections. Surprisingly, most studies and case reports focus on patients with beta-thalassemia major. There is yet much to learn about the outcomes of patients with thalassemia minor and other hemoglobinopathies. |
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| ISBN: | 978-1-83768-399-4 |
| DOI: | 10.5772/intechopen.110000 |