Bone marrow alterations in COVID-19 infection: The root of hematological problems.

INTRODUCTION: The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a respiratory infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus with a significant impact on the hematopoietic system and homeostasis. The effect of the virus on blood cells indicates the involvement of the bone marrow (BM) as the place of production and maturation of these cells by the virus and it reminds the necessity of investigating the effect of the virus on the bone marrow. METHOD: To investigate the effects of COVID-19 infection in BM, we reviewed literature from the Google Scholar search engine and PubMed database up to 2022 using the terms "COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Bone marrow; Thrombocytopenia; Hemophagocytosis; Pancytopenia and Thrombocytopenia. RESULTS: Infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus is accompanied by alterations such as single-line cytopenia, pancytopenia, hemophagocytosis, and BM necrosis. The presence of factors such as cytokine release syndrome, the direct effect of the virus on cells through different receptors, and the side effects of current treatments such as corticosteroids are some of the important mechanisms in the occurrence of these alterations. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this review is the first study to comprehensively investigate BM alterations caused by SAR-CoV-2 virus infection. The available findings show that the significant impact of this viral infection on blood cells and the clinical consequences resulting from them are deeper than previously thought and it may be rooted in the changes that the virus causes in the BM of patients.

Diabetes mellitus and COVID-19: review of a lethal interaction from the cellular and molecular level to the bedside.

INTRODUCTION: While the main mode of transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is close contact with other individuals, the presence of chronic underlying diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus (DM) increases the chance of hospitalization and mortality rate due to infection. AREAS COVERED: To investigate the effects of COVID-19 infection in DM patients, we reviewed literature from Google Scholar search engine and PubMed database from '2013 to 2020' using the terms "COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Diabetes mellitus; obesity; Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; ACE2; Insulin and Metformin. Evidence suggests that COVID-19 exacerbates the course of diabetes. Presence of pro-inflammatory conditions, increased expression of receptors, and more difficult control of glucose levels in diabetics COVID-19 patients are some of the problems that diabetic patients may face. Also, psychological problems caused by the COVID-19 epidemic in diabetic patients is one of the most important problems in these patients, which is less covered. EXPERT OPINION: DM is a strong and independent risk factor with a poor prognosis, which increases the risk of COVID-19 infection, the need for emergency services, the rate of hospitalization in the intensive care unit and also increases the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients.