Autoimmune Disorders with Special Reference to Coronavirus Disease-2019

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, was reported in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has gradually evolved into a pandemic. The number of cases is increasing enormously, so is our knowledge of possible signs and symptoms, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management. Few cases develop complications due to excessive cytokine release and uncontrolled immune activation. Several researchers believe that the extensive organ, tissue, and cellular damage done by the virus can be due to antigenic mimicry with the human tissues and the production of autoantibodies. Recent reports of SARS-CoV-2 preceding antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, Miller Fisher syndrome, Guillain–Barré syndrome, Kawasaki syndrome, etc., provide definite examples of this virus's capability to cause the immune system dysregulation. With the rush to mass immunization against the disease, several types of vaccine candidates are in clinical trials, and the risk of developing autoimmune reactions should be considered due to host and pathogen interactions. Hence, in this review, we aim to summarize the various immune dysregulation autoimmune syndromes concerning the SARS-CoV-2 infection published to date.