Larenas-Linnemann D, Rodríguez-Pérez N, Arias-Cruz A, Blandón-Vijil MV, Del Río-Navarro BE, Estrada-Cardona A, Gereda JE, Luna-Pech JA, Navarrete-Rodríguez EM, Onuma-Takane E, Pozo-Beltrán CF, Rojo-Gutiérrez MI. Enhancing innate immunity against virus in times of COVID-19: Trying to untangle facts from fictions.
World Allergy Organ J 2020;
13:100476. [PMID:
33072240 PMCID:
PMC7546230 DOI:
10.1016/j.waojou.2020.100476]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, during which the world is confronted with a new, highly contagious virus that suppresses innate immunity as one of its initial virulence mechanisms, thus escaping from first-line human defense mechanisms, enhancing innate immunity seems a good preventive strategy.
Methods
Without the intention to write an official systematic review, but more to give an overview of possible strategies, in this review article we discuss several interventions that might stimulate innate immunity and thus our defense against (viral) respiratory tract infections. Some of these interventions can also stimulate the adaptive T- and B-cell responses, but our main focus is on the innate part of immunity. We divide the reviewed interventions into: 1) lifestyle related (exercise, >7 h sleep, forest walking, meditation/mindfulness, vitamin supplementation); 2) Non-specific immune stimulants (letting fever advance, bacterial vaccines, probiotics, dialyzable leukocyte extract, pidotimod), and 3) specific vaccines with heterologous effect (BCG vaccine, mumps-measles-rubeola vaccine, etc).
Results
For each of these interventions we briefly comment on their definition, possible mechanisms and evidence of clinical efficacy or lack of it, especially focusing on respiratory tract infections, viral infections, and eventually a reduced mortality in severe respiratory infections in the intensive care unit. At the end, a summary table demonstrates the best trials supporting (or not) clinical evidence.
Conclusion
Several interventions have some degree of evidence for enhancing the innate immune response and thus conveying possible benefit, but specific trials in COVID-19 should be conducted to support solid recommendations.
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