During the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic, it is essential to identify the risk factors that can cause a higher probability of infection and, therefore, worsen the patient's health. In fact, the known risk factors include already existing diseases and associated pharmacological treatments. A patient with multiple sclerosis takes immunomodulatory drugs and certainly has a high risk. Evidence and literature have shown that SARS-Cov-2 infection causes severe lung damage due to a poorly functioning immune system and overexpression of cytokines. Therefore the management of multiple sclerosis treatments in immunomodulating therapy must be carefully monitored. This article on the one hand analyzes and recalls the safety profile of all drugs for multiple sclerosis, on the other the recommendations adopted by different countries are highlighted, trying to understand if the suspension of MS treatment must actually materialize in order not to incur lethal covid pneumonia.

Introduction The new coronavirus, called SARS-CoV-2, is responsible for the recent outbreak of serious respiratory diseases worldwide. The state of the global pandemic is still being declared and the virus has already claimed thousands of victims. Therapies are urgently needed to contain its rapid spread and reduce high mortality rates, no direct antiviral is yet available and several clinical trials are underway. In addition, no vaccines are currently available and any development in this direction may take several months. Experts in the field have divided SARS-Cov-2 infection into three phases. Materials and methods This article explores the scientific hypothesis based on pharmacological and molecular knowledge to consider drugs that modulate the RAS system as therapeutic agents that can help the body fight SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results It is known from the 2003 SARS epidemic that the critical receptor for SARS-CoV entry into host cells is the angiotensin 2 conversion enzyme (ACE2), the strain involved in the current SARS-CoV-2 epidemic is similar to the SARS-CoV variety involved in the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic. ACE-2 is part of the RAS system, modulating this enzyme could be effective. Conclusions A scientific hypothesis is described, in the absence of studies and clinical data, based on therapeutic treatments that modulate RAS, and current knowledge of the mechanism of penetration of SARS-CoV-2 into cells, and the role of ACE-2 in the inflammatory state of the infection.

The global pandemic from Sars-cov-2 has down caused thousands of deaths worldwide, triggering a health crisis in the various countries involved, with few precedents in history. To date there are no vaccines for prophylaxis, and there are no antivirals directed against the virus. Among the therapeutic options that have shown effectiveness is passive immunization with immune plasma from convalescent patients cured of the infection. Plasma collected from patients cured of Sars-cov-2 infection is rich in antibodies that neutralized the pathogen. Plasma therapy has already demonstrated its efficacy in other epidemics, such as Sars-Cov and MERS. To date, there are limited data for its use in sars-Cov-2 infection, both for prophylaxis and treatment, but the few existing data bode well for the scientific world. Many questions are still unresolved, when to administer it? At what dosage? When is it most appropriate to take the plasma from the cured patient? Are there different answers depending on gender and age? Certainly in view of the high number of patients infected and cured by Sars-Cov-2, there could be a high amount of plasma from donor patients. In this article we want to give an overview on a current and important topic in the perspective of the battle against the new Sars-Cov-2, analysing the therapeutic successes in past epidemics, the clinical data currently available, the future prospect and an expert opinion.

Objectives:Literature data have shown that decreasing the SARS-CoV-2-induced hyperinflammatory state is essential for fighting the virus in an emergency and avoiding death. Many authors have divided the SARS-CoV-2 infection into three phases, of which the second and third are purely inflammatory. For this reason, while the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines is increasing, the best pharmacological goal is the decrease in proinflammatory molecules. Design: In phase 3, the most serious, there is an overdrive state of the immune system with consequent assault against all tissues and lung damage. Sars cov 2 pneumonia is characterized by “cytokine storm” and can lead to death. Acting in advance and with combination therapy aimed at blocking the inflammatory cascade can be effective. Results: Many drugs are being tested in evaluating these effects such as IL-6 or IL-1 inhibitors, chloroquine / hydroxycloroquine and colchicine which is proving its effectiveness especially in association in the last two stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection. modulating the inflammatory state and allowing to use an effective combined terepia with drugs at non-lethal dosages. Colchicine is considered safe and effective for the treatment and prevention of the cytokine storm in patients suffering from SARS-CoV-2 infection and is certainly an added remedy to other therapeutic agents with a safety profile superior to that provided by others. drugs. Conclusion:The aim of this study is to explain the pharmacological rationale behind the use of a combination therapy as an effective and safe remedy to decrease pneumonia and the consequent death from Sars CoV 2.

In this period of global pandemic caused by SARS-Cov-2, it is of paramount importance to recognize all risk factors that may increase the likelihood of infection. In addition to the risk factors known as pre-existing diseases and old age, risk factors could be drug treatments for chronic diseases, such as immunomodulating drugs that can alter immune defences and response to infectious agents. Antibodies that inhibit tumor necrosis factor (TNF) such as adalimumab infliximab etanercept and golimumab have been used for over 20 years in severe cases of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease or ankylosing spondylitis. Due to their mechanism of action they reduce inflammation and can stop the progression of the disease by inhibiting a key factor of inflammation such as Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF). In this article we want to examine the possible correlation between therapy with TNF inhibitors and the increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the possible paradoxical therapeutic efficacy in patients with ongoing infection, especially in phase two and three. We express our opinion on this very complex and sensitive topic which is the subject of discussion among physicians and experts, based on current knowledge of the literature. Keywords: TNF inhibitors, SARS-Cov-2, immunomodulating, infection, hyperinflammatory

Reduction of pulmonary fibrotic status and reduction of hyperinflammation is essential to combat SARS-CoV-2 and avoid death. Many authors have divided the SARS-CoV-2 infection into three stages, the second and third of which are purely inflammatory and fibrotic. Waiting for the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines to give good results, the best pharmacological goal is the reduction of proinflammatory molecules. This leads to less formation of fibrotic tissue and to the resolution of the patient’s respiratory problems. In fact, in phase 3, the most serious, there is a state of overexpression of the immune system with consequent assault on all tissues and damage to the lungs. Sars cov 2 pneumonia is characterized by “cytokine storm” and can lead to death. Acting early and with pirfenidone combination therapy can be effective. The IL-6 or IL-1 inhibitors, chloroquine / hydroxychloroquine and colchicine, which are demonstrating their anti-inflammatory efficacy, when combined with an anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic agent, such as pirfenidone, can have a winning result. The effective combined terepia allows to use non-lethal dosages and affects all the pathological steps induced by the virus. Pirfenidone has been used for years in lung diseases and has been shown to have good clinical success and good safety and tolerability.The purpose of this study is to explain the pharmacological logic behind the use of a combination therapy as an effective and safe remedy to reduce pneumonia and the consequent death from Sars CoV 2. Keywords: pirfenidone, fibrotic, inflammation, cythokine, interleukin, Sars-CoV-2.

Background The covid 19 positive patient who is subject to a hyperinflammatory condition associated with lung injury with the development of pneumonia is hospitalized in the intensive care unit. Before resolving and overcoming the “cytokine storm”, with overexpression of pro-inflammatory interleukins (IL-, Il-6), this patient will be intubated for more than 48 hours and therefore needs adequate nutrition. Experimental approach Malnutrition can lead to sarcopenia with a decrease in lean body mass and worsening of the inflammatory state underway. In addition, severe debilitation, if not corrected with adequate nutrition, can greatly lengthen rehabilitation times with prolonged hospitalization, increased costs and reduced turn over already in crisis due to the health emergency caused by coronavirus. Key Results The aim of this study is to focus attention on the nutritional importance that must be provided in case of covid 19 together with pharmacological treatments to lower the number of circulating proinflammatory cytokines. Conclusions Oral, enteral and parenteral nutrition should always be carried out according to the patient’s condition and, in the case of a hyperinflammatory patient, such as the one affected by covid 19, it has been shown that the supplementation of amino acids helps to lower the inflammatory state and promotes normal recovery physiological. Keywords: amino acids, nutrition, covid, glutamine, hyperinflammatory, sarcopenia, cytokine.

The first cases of patients infected with SARS-Cov-2 virus were recorded in China in November 2019, and then rapidly spread to all countries around the world, causing a global pandemic. Much is known about the pathophysiology of this virus infection, but perhaps not enough. One of the aspects still to be investigated is the correlation between the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and SARS-Cov-2 infection. RAS is a physiological system with a key role in regulating the different functions of the human body. SARS-CoV-2, uses the enzyme ACE-2 as a potential factor of cell penetration and infectivity, moreover in the different stages of infection a functional variation of the RAS system has been noted in different targets and at different times. In particular, in this article, we discuss the role of RAS on SARS-Cov-2 infection, and possible therapies that acting modifiers the system.

An acute respiratory disease, caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has spread throughout China and other countries and received worldwide attention. On 30 January 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic as a public health emergency of international concern. At the moment of writing this article (April 2020) a total of 2.240.191 cases confirmed worldwide since the outbreak and 153.822 deaths in 166 countries or regions confirmed cases globally had been reported. Meanwhile, several independent research groups have identified that SARS-CoV-2 has highly identical genome with SARS-COV-1. The novel coronavirus uses the same receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as that for SARS-CoV, and mainly spreads through the respiratory tract. The clinical symptoms of patients include fever, cough, fatigue and a small population of patients appeared gastrointestinal infection symptoms. Currently, there are few specific therapeutic strategies, but several potent candidates of antivirals and repurposed drugs are under urgent investigation. In this review, we summarized the current treatment and scientific advancements to combat the epidemic novel coronavirus. Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, treatment, coronavirus, infection, pneumonia

About 300 million people worldwide are affected by rheumatic diseases and over 5 and a half million men and women affected by rheumatological diseases are present in Italy. These are chronic diseases and therefore require treatment and diagnostic tests for long periods of time. Patient needs must be met even in these difficult months marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. The guarantee of therapeutic continuity is important and increasingly dangerous is the lack of many drugs. This is because many antimalarial and anti-inflammatory drugs have entered the protocols for treatment from Sars Cov 2. Without taking these medicines, which for years have also been used in rheumatology, there is a risk of reactivating serious diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis or systemic Lupus erythematosus.