Published in:
01-04-2021 | Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome | Chest Radiology
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), influenza, and COVID-19, beyond the lungs: a review article
Authors:
Alecio F. Lombardi, Amir M. Afsahi, Amit Gupta, Ali Gholamrezanezhad
Published in:
La radiologia medica
|
Issue 4/2021
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Abstract
Background
In the past 20 years four major viral infectious diseases outbreaks caused hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide: SARS, Influenza H1N1, MERS, and COVID-19. They all present clinically initially as upper and lower respiratory tract infections and may progress to multi-organ failure.
Methods
This study was a systematic review of literature conducted in September 2020 to study extra-pulmonary complications of SARS, FLU, MERS, and current COVID-19. We carried out a systematic search using the keywords in online databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar until June 2020.
Objective
This article aims to review the most common extra-pulmonary manifestations of SARS, Influenza, MERS, and COVID-19.
Discussion
Several studies have reported extra-pulmonary conditions in patients diagnosed with SARS, Influenza, MERS, and COVID-19, either by direct viral injury or from the systemic response to the initial infection.
Conclusion
SARS, Influenza, MERS, and COVID-19 have all been associated with dysfunction of kidneys, endocrine system, neuromuscular symptoms, perinatal complications, and myocardial injury. Progression from pulmonary disease to a systemic condition has a poor outcome and can result in multi-organ failure.