ROLE OF LYMPHATIC SYSTEM IN COVID-19 PATIENT: AN OBSERVATION STUDY
Mugdha Nandedkar*, Priya Parghane, Shital Narnor, Yogita Ware, Bhagyashri Randhawan and Rajesh Oswal
ABSTRACT
As the world is witnessing the epidemic of COVID-19, a disease caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, emerging genetics and clinical evidences suggest a similar path to those of SARS and MERS. A cascade of viral particles enters the body through the nose, eyes or mouth. Breathing carries some of these particles to the lower respiratory tract where the spike proteins of the coronavirus, acting like a key, lock into epithelial cells that line the respiratory tract as well as those in the air sacs in the lungs. SARS-CoV-2 is able to stay undetected longer than many flu or coronaviruses and its spike proteins are able to gain entry by unlocking the ACE2 protein on the lung cells. Once in, they hijack the cell‘s machinery, replicate and multiply and infect adjoining cells. Like the defining ACE2 proteins on the epithelial cells, viruses too have a tell-tale signature on their surface called antigens and spotting these is what kicks the immune system into action by producing antibodies. Researchers reveal that a broad range of immune cells react to COVID-19 and aid recovery, findings which could inform the development of a potential vaccine. The blood and lymphatic systems are the two major circulatory systems in our body. Although the blood system has been studied extensively, the lymphatic system has received much less scientific and medical attention because of its elusive morphology and mysterious pathophysiology. However, a series of landmark discoveries made in the past decade has begun to change the previous misconception of the lymphatic system to be secondary to the more essential blood vascular system. In this article, we review the current understanding of the development and pathology of the lymphatic system. We hope to convince readers that the lymphatic system is no less essential than the blood circulatory system for human health and well-being.
Keywords: Lymphatic System, Lymph, Lymphatic vessels, Covid-19, SARSCoV-2.
[Full Text Article]
[Download Certificate]
Impact Factor : 8.181 
