Dear researchers!
A recent preprint claims that novel coronavirus, named as SARS-CoV-2, potentially produces it's consequences, even respiratory ones, by attacking the hemoglobin and capturing the porphyrin. This attack results in reduced ability of RBCs to carry respiratory gasses and inhibition of heme anabolic pathways.
these findings raise the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 to be a hematologic virus that can affect several organs through circulation.
The study is carried out on the basis of bioinformatics and involves conserved domain analysis, homology modeling, and molecular docking. As stated by the authors, it's obvious that further laboratory investigation is needed to confirm this in-silico study's findings.
How much reliable do you think this claim is?
How do you evaluate this claim, based on other researchs or clinical findings?
If true, how can these findings affect future strategies to combat COVID-19?
I hope these questions would result in beneficial discussion among researchers.
Best regards.
Mohammad Moein Sadeghi
https://chemrxiv.org/articles/COVID-19_Disease_ORF8_and_Surface_Glycoprotein_Inhibit_Heme_Metabolism_by_Binding_to_Porphyrin/11938173
https://medium.com/@amdahl/covid-19-debunking-the-hemoglobin-story-ce27773d1096
This Hemoglobin Theory is not explained by Clinical Features
Although anemia in critically sick patients of COVID-19 is occuring, it is normocytic normochromic anemia commonly seen with infection. SARS-CoV-2 is mainly attacking the ACE-2 receptors, that are plentiful in respiratory tract, and the gastrointestinal tract. There is no evidence of hemolytic anemia that would occur if the Red Blood Cells will hemolyze with involvement of the hemoglobin by the Coronavirus.
In fact patients with Hemoglobin disorders e.g Sickle cell anemia and Thalassemias are suffering due to non-availability of blood donors due to Coronavirus fear and lack of blood-donations related to lockdowns.
Noel Cabañas
Thanks for sharing this helpful post. The writer, Dr. Amdahl, has provided sufficient and convincing evidences to call this theory into question.
Particularly, throwing doubt on the possibility of RBCs to be the host cell of the virus and providing other theoretical and clinical evidences persuade us to be more careful to believe and decide based on this preprint.
Muhammad Yousuf
Thanks for your participation. Normocytic normochromic anemia is documented among COVID-19 patients?
Also, thanks for pointing the problem of blood donation within pandemic.
Regards.
You may go through the link below:
Article Hematological findings and complications of COVID‐19
I don´t know, but there is an important increase in free iron in COVID-19 patients, that manifest as severe increase in ferritin, contributing to cytokine storm. See our last letter in this regard Article Ferritin levels and COVID-19
Cheers everyone!
Interesting! I think SARS-CoV-2 have more profound impact on the blood vessels, so RBCs are indirectly affected as a result
SARS-CoV-2 is not a simple virus that attack only one organ. It has its effects on many organs in one way or the other. It has effect on blood vessels and RBCs. The danger of clot formation in asymptomatic patients is another danger. In the coming days we hope to get a clear picture of this virus and its effects on hematological system. One way we do is protect our immunity system. I have found Matily Herbal Drink has some protective influence.
http://blog.medicalresearchjournal.org/2020/08/matily-herbal-drink-may-reduce.html
http://blog.medicalresearchjournal.org/2020/09/managing-shingles-hz-in-elderly-with.html
My latest publication gives an insight on the hematological problems and how salicylates in food can protect us.
Yes, very good points, and sadly not adequately addressed in the rest of the literature.
I have been using Matily Herbal Drink myself and I hope it has helped to protect me - though O don't know whether it has! - but at least I am still around on earth by God's grace.