News Article

 

'Breakthrough finding' reveals why certain Covid-19 patients die

Research shows Covid-19 patients with life-threatening illness have antibodies that disable key immune system proteins called interferons.

NBC News | Source: Kaiser Health News | By Liz Szabo | Nov. 13, 2020, 5:02 PM

 

In some cases, provocative new research shows, some people — men in particular — succumb because their immune systems are hit by friendly fire.

 

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In an international study in Science, 10 percent of nearly 1,000 Covid-19 patients who developed life-threatening pneumonia had antibodies that disable key immune system proteins called interferons. These antibodies — known as autoantibodies, because they attack the body itself — weren't found at all in 663 people with mild or asymptomatic Covid-19 infections. Only four of 1,227 healthy patients had the autoantibodies. The study was led by the Covid Human Genetic Effort, which includes 200 research centers in 40 countries.

"This is one of the most important things we've learned about the immune system since the start of the pandemic," said Dr. Eric Topol, executive vice president for research at Scripps Research in San Diego, who wasn't involved in the new study. "This is a breakthrough finding."

 

2 hours ago, RichCor said:

'Breakthrough finding' reveals why certain Covid-19 patients die

->Genetic association  found relevant in* 10% of serious Covid-19 patients

 

*only, but it's a start...

Not much use unless they find out WHY they have those antibodies; and anyway, 10% means NINETY % DON'T.

 

It could be as simple as being obese, doing no exercise and spending all day in the basement on social media causes it.

For sure, if obesity is anything to do with it, certain countries are going to be having BIG problems.

14 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Not much use unless they find out WHY they have those antibodies; and anyway, 10% means NINETY % DON'T.

 

It could be as simple as being obese, doing no exercise and spending all day in the basement on social media causes it.

For sure, if obesity is anything to do with it, certain countries are going to be having BIG problems.

It's already well established that obesity is a major contributing factor to the severity of symptoms.

Kinda like using the kids latrine and getting a little backsplash aka friendly fire aka a few soggy spots.... ????