Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Long COVID-19

COVID-19 is characterized by an acute respiratory illness that, in some patients, progresses to respiratory failure, largely demonstrating a pattern of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Excluding fatal cases, the outcome of this severe illness ranges from complete resolution to persistent respiratory dysfunction. This subacute-to-chronic respiratory illness has different manifestations and is collectively termed as long COVID. The pathogenesis of organ dysfunction in acute injury stems from exaggerated innate immune response, complement activation, and monocyte influx, with a shift toward an organ injury state with abnormalities in cellular maturation. Although the increased rate of thrombosis observed in acute COVID-19 does not appear to persist, interestingly, ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 and post-COVID pathogeneses appear to reflect the persistence of immune and cellular disturbances triggered by the acute and subacute periods. (c) 2023 United States & Canadian Academy of Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

COVID-19 is an acute respiratory illness that can progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome. While most patients recover completely, some may experience persistent respiratory dysfunction, known as long COVID. The pathogenesis involves immune and cellular disturbances.