Like HIV, corona hits immune cells: Studies

NEW YORK: Researchers have discovered that in many Covid patients, the immune system is threatened by a depletion of certain essential cells, suggesting eerie parallels with HIV.
In May, John Wherry, an immunologist at the University of Pennsylvania, and his colleagues posted online a paper showing a range of immune system defects in severely ill patients, including a loss of virusfighting T cells in parts of the body. Another study, conducted by Adrian Hayday, an immunologist at King’s College London, found an increase in levels of a molecule called IP10, which sends T cells to areas of the body where they are needed in Covid patients. Ordinarily, IP10 levels are only briefly elevated. But in Covid-19 patients IP10 levels go up and stay up. The result: a confused response from the immune system.