What is it about?
The risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 does not depend on the individual's nutritional status but on the degree of contact with the pathogen. Whether the coronavirus exposure develops into a true infection might contrariwise depend on the individual's first-line abilities, and, regrettably, malnutrition is a common occurrence that afflicts many older adults in China and Italy , both having been heavily afflicted by the highest number of deaths. It is clear that the segment of population most at risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection is the elderly, with frailty and older age being well-known predictors of a negative outcome in acute care settings. Intensive clinical monitoring at admission with subsequent tailored nutritional care is needed for COVID-19 patients, especially those with co-existing chronic conditions or medications that could further aggravate the nutritional status.
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Why is it important?
Preliminary data suggest that male older adults and subjects with immune dysfunctions might be more susceptible to the worse viral disease, but there is a need to further investigate the virulence factors. One of the factors most discussed is the malnutritional status of the host, but most of the beliefs are anecdotal. On the other hand, strong evidence supports the notion that any infection outcome is highly dependent on the nutritional status of the host since viruses subject the host's body to a considerable energetic effort to sustain costly defenses. If a previous malnutritional status exists, or if no nutritional care is provided, the host easily encounters the emptying of body reservoirs with increased harm caused by the virus. A possible link between the nutritional status of the host, the virulence of SARS-CoV-2, and the clinical outcome of COVID-19 needs to be discussed.
Perspectives
In the current pandemic panorama of SARS-CoV-2, the link between nutrition and virulence takes a predictable turn. On one hand, many opportunists boast dietary plans against SARS-CoV-2, and, on the other hand, there is the sellout of dietary supplements that boost the immune system. In Italy, many instances of fake news have circulated on social networks, and many pharmacies have exposed signs that state: “Masks sold-out but vitamin C available.” In these times of fear and confusion, speculations should be disciplined. Nonetheless, a greater understanding of the link between nutrition and SARS-CoV-2 is needed, as the pathogen fitness may also depend on the host available resources. Future studies should focus on the transmission potential of malnutritional statuses. In the past, these conditions were suggested to negatively influence the transmission of alphaviruses to other hosts.
Dr. M. Briguglio
IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi - Sant'Ambrogio
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Malnutritional Status of the Host as a Virulence Factor for New Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, Frontiers in Medicine, April 2020, Frontiers,
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00146.
You can read the full text:
Resources
Malnutrizione e nuovo coronavirus: cosa li lega?
Uno stato di malnutrizione, inteso sia come nutrizione per difetto, sia obesità, non aiuta a combattere efficacemente il virus che causa il COVID-19.
Che cosa sono fattori di virulenza?
La capacità di un agente patogeno di infettare o danneggiare i sui tessuti ospite è determinata dai fattori di virulenza. Queste sono spesso molecole sintetizzate dai batteri o dal virus e codificate in loro genoma, ma possono anche acquistarsi dall'ambiente via gli elementi genetici ereditari.
Vitamin D, SARS-CoV-2, and COVID-19
Vitamin D supplementation may be useful besides its potential effects on SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19.
Original study article
This is the paper that reported the original published article.
Contributors
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