Does cystic fibrosis constitute an advantage in COVID-19 infection?

Ital J Pediatr. 2020 Oct 6;46(1):143. doi: 10.1186/s13052-020-00909-1.

Abstract

The Veneto region is one of the most affected Italian regions by COVID-19. Chronic lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), may constitute a risk factor in COVID-19. Moreover, respiratory viruses were generally associated with severe pulmonary impairment in cystic fibrosis (CF). We would have therefore expected numerous cases of severe COVID-19 among the CF population. Surprisingly, we found that CF patients were significantly protected against infection by SARS-CoV-2. We discussed this aspect formulating some reasonable theories.

Keywords: Azythromycin; Covid-19; Cystic fibrosis; DNase; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques / methods
  • Cohort Studies
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Cystic Fibrosis / diagnosis
  • Cystic Fibrosis / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • Pandemics / statistics & numerical data*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / epidemiology*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Reference Values
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment