Exploring links between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19.

Parasite-Host Biology Group, National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India. Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India. Structural Parasitology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India.

PLoS pathogens. 2020;(9):e1008874

Abstract

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic remains a major public health threat in most countries. The causative severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome and result in mortality in COVID-19 patients. Vitamin D is an immunomodulator hormone with established effectiveness against various upper respiratory infections. Vitamin D can stall hyper-inflammatory responses and expedite healing process of the affected areas, primarily in the lung tissue. Thus, there are ecological and mechanistic reasons to promote exploration of vitamin D action in COVID-19 patients. As no curative drugs are available currently for COVID-19, we feel that the potential of vitamin D to alter the course of disease severity needs to be investigated. Clinical studies may be undertaken to address the value of vitamin D supplementation in deficient, high-risk COVID-19 patients.

Methodological quality

Publication Type : Review

Metadata