Risk Factors of Severe COVID-19: A Review of Host, Viral and Environmental Factors
The clinical course and outcome of COVID-19 are highly variable, ranging from asymptomatic infections to severe disease and death. Understanding the risk factors of severe COVID-19 is relevant both in the clinical setting and at the epidemiological level. Here, we provide an overview of host, viral...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-01-01
|
| Series: | Viruses |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/1/175 |
| _version_ | 1797436430569439232 |
|---|---|
| author | Levente Zsichla Viktor Müller |
| author_facet | Levente Zsichla Viktor Müller |
| author_sort | Levente Zsichla |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The clinical course and outcome of COVID-19 are highly variable, ranging from asymptomatic infections to severe disease and death. Understanding the risk factors of severe COVID-19 is relevant both in the clinical setting and at the epidemiological level. Here, we provide an overview of host, viral and environmental factors that have been shown or (in some cases) hypothesized to be associated with severe clinical outcomes. The factors considered in detail include the age and frailty, genetic polymorphisms, biological sex (and pregnancy), co- and superinfections, non-communicable comorbidities, immunological history, microbiota, and lifestyle of the patient; viral genetic variation and infecting dose; socioeconomic factors; and air pollution. For each category, we compile (sometimes conflicting) evidence for the association of the factor with COVID-19 outcomes (including the strength of the effect) and outline possible action mechanisms. We also discuss the complex interactions between the various risk factors. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:02:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cf7151582aea42dbbe012bc8e68e0b1a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4915 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:02:34Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Viruses |
| spelling | doaj.art-cf7151582aea42dbbe012bc8e68e0b1a2023-12-01T01:12:03ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152023-01-0115117510.3390/v15010175Risk Factors of Severe COVID-19: A Review of Host, Viral and Environmental FactorsLevente Zsichla0Viktor Müller1Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, HungaryInstitute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, HungaryThe clinical course and outcome of COVID-19 are highly variable, ranging from asymptomatic infections to severe disease and death. Understanding the risk factors of severe COVID-19 is relevant both in the clinical setting and at the epidemiological level. Here, we provide an overview of host, viral and environmental factors that have been shown or (in some cases) hypothesized to be associated with severe clinical outcomes. The factors considered in detail include the age and frailty, genetic polymorphisms, biological sex (and pregnancy), co- and superinfections, non-communicable comorbidities, immunological history, microbiota, and lifestyle of the patient; viral genetic variation and infecting dose; socioeconomic factors; and air pollution. For each category, we compile (sometimes conflicting) evidence for the association of the factor with COVID-19 outcomes (including the strength of the effect) and outline possible action mechanisms. We also discuss the complex interactions between the various risk factors.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/1/175COVID-19disease severityrisk factorsagesexcomorbidities |
| spellingShingle | Levente Zsichla Viktor Müller Risk Factors of Severe COVID-19: A Review of Host, Viral and Environmental Factors Viruses COVID-19 disease severity risk factors age sex comorbidities |
| title | Risk Factors of Severe COVID-19: A Review of Host, Viral and Environmental Factors |
| title_full | Risk Factors of Severe COVID-19: A Review of Host, Viral and Environmental Factors |
| title_fullStr | Risk Factors of Severe COVID-19: A Review of Host, Viral and Environmental Factors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Risk Factors of Severe COVID-19: A Review of Host, Viral and Environmental Factors |
| title_short | Risk Factors of Severe COVID-19: A Review of Host, Viral and Environmental Factors |
| title_sort | risk factors of severe covid 19 a review of host viral and environmental factors |
| topic | COVID-19 disease severity risk factors age sex comorbidities |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/1/175 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT leventezsichla riskfactorsofseverecovid19areviewofhostviralandenvironmentalfactors AT viktormuller riskfactorsofseverecovid19areviewofhostviralandenvironmentalfactors |