How COVID-19 is different from the flu
The Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 does not damage the lungs, according to a current study, only the pulmonary alveoli (alveoli), but also the insides of the blood vessels (endothelium), which can lead to thrombosis in small blood vessels. In addition, SARS seems to be-CoV-2 vascular neoplasms in the lungs trigger. This newly discovered characteristic of COVID-19 distinguishes the disease from the flu (Influenza).
An international research team of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and the Medical University of Hannover showed that COVID-19 is characterized, in addition to some similarities to the Influenza by significant peculiarities. Especially micro-thrombosis, and a so-called intussuszeptive Neoangiogenesis, when it comes to vessels of the Tubules into the blood, seems to COVID-19 are significantly more likely to occur than in the case of a flu. The results were recently presented in the prestigious “New England Journal of Medicine”.
What was studied?
In a recent study, the researchers compared the ends to the thoracic surgeon, Steven J. Mentzer and the pathologist Danny By the lung tissue of seven persons, the COVID-19 died with seven lung tissues of persons who died of Infuenza A (H1N1). As a control group, the tissue of ten people served of the same age, but were not ill.
Similarities between Influenza and COVID-19
The investigation revealed some similarities between the two diseases: Both are caused by viruses that can attack the lungs and in severe cases, acute pulmonary cause of failure, whereby a mechanical ventilation will be required. In both diseases, it comes to so-called alveolar damage in which the walls of alveoli become inflamed, surface adhesion of the protein deposits to be covered and the supply of oxygen in the blood more difficult.
COVID-19 charged to the vessels more than a flu
However, there were also significant differences in the lung of examined Concerned, particularly in connection with the blood vessels. The researchers showed that COVID-19 vessels, the endothelial cells, so the inner vessel lining of blood, damaged. This increases the risk of severe endothelial damage, which can lead to blood clot formation and vascular growth.
Characteristic features of COVID-19
Here are the main characteristic features of COVID-19 Overview, which has worked out the research team:
- COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that can also cause blood vessel damage.
- The damage of the vascular cells may explain the often observed severe blood coagulation disorders and thrombosis, or embolism.
- The damaged blood also other ailments in connection with COVID-19 can explain blood vessels, such as, for example, the COVID-toe, children with Kawasaki syndrome, and increased risk for strokes in COVID-19.
- The so-called intussuszeptive angiogenesis, when it comes to vessels, neoplasms of blood, seems to be an attempt of the body to compensate for the vascular damage.
Better understanding of COVID-19
“The study improves our understanding of why lung function in SARS-CoV-2-Infected with severe disease so severely impaired,” explains Professor By. The researchers, the tissue synergistically samples have for the first time, with a very broad methods range from micro-computer tomography, 3D scanning electron microscopy and various molecular biological methods, the routes of SARS-CoV-track 2.
In the process, the Team discovered a massive number of blood clots in all sections of the blood vessels in the lungs, especially in the finest vessels, the capillaries. “These Microthrombi block the fine pulmonary vessels, and increase in addition, the shortness of breath of the patient”, says the pathologist. This phenomenon, while there was also heavy damaged lungs after Influenza infections, but to a much lesser extent.
What is a intussuszeptive Neoangiogenesis is?
Especially striking is the Occurrence of the intussuszeptive neo-angiogenesis, which has so far not been described in the context of diffuse alveolar damage and “COVID-19 was different fundamentally from similar severe lung infections caused by influenza virus”, so By. In this process, it comes to Invaginations in the vascular lumen. Thus, the body is trying to share an already existing blood vessel in two parts.
COVID-19: three most important changes in the lungs
“The three in our study, for the first time, comprehensively described changes within the lung in SARS-CoV-2 infections are the massive blood vessel damage, the excessive vessels, blood coagulation constipation the finest of the Lung and the COVID-19 characteristic Vascularization”, says the Professor of pathology.
Thus, another piece of the Puzzle was added to the decryption of COVID-19. This study highlights the need for more research that examines the angiogenesis and the vascular effects of COVID-19, out possible therapies to dissipate. (vb)