Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Short Review on Hematological Manifestations

Abstract

Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a rapidly spreading and devastating global pandemic. Many researchers are attempting to clarify the mechanisms of infection and to develop a drug or vaccine against the virus, but there are still no proven effective treatments. The present article reviews the common presenting hematological manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Elucidating the changes in hematological parameters in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients could help to understand the pathophysiology of the disease and may provide early clues to diagnosis. Several studies have shown that hematological parameters are markers of disease severity and suggest that they mediate disease progression.

Keywords: coronavirus disease 2019 COVID–19; cytokine storm; hematology; hemostasis; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 SARS–CoV–2.

Figure 1

The structure of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV–2) comprising four different proteins: spike (S), membrane (M), envelope (E) and nucleocapsid (N). The first three proteins (S, M, and E) are the components of the viral envelope, while the N protein (enclosing RNA) forms a part of the genome. To enter the cell, the virus requires the interaction of the S protein with human transmembrane angiotensin–converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) [22,23].

Figure 2

The most common hematological laboratory symptoms of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) manifestation: leukocytosis, lymphocytopenia, and increased D–dimer levels.