Evaluation of Vitamin A and E Deficiency With Severity of SARS-COV-2 Disease: A Case-Control Study

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel infectious disease that has been spreading worldwide Coronaviridae study group of the International Committee on taxonomy of viruses (2020). The clinical manifestation of COVID-19 can range from asymptomatic infection to critical illness with severe pneumonia, respiratory failure, and death.

Vitamin A is of special interest in the field of infectious diseases, especially for pulmonary infections. It is crucial for the development of normal lung tissue and tissue repair after injury due to infection. Therefore, it may play a role in recovery after severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Vitamin A has immune regulatory functions and positively affects both the innate and adaptive immune cell response.

The anti-oxidant Vitamin E, and trace element selenium, are major components of anti-oxidant defense. Epidemiological studies demonstrate that deficiencies in, either of these nutrients, alters immune responses and viral pathogenicity.

Data concerning vitamin A and E plasma levels in COVID-19 patients are lacking. Therefore, this study aims at characterizing vitamin A and E plasma levels in COVID-19 and analyzing the association of plasma levels with disease severity and outcome.