New coronavirus infection in the aspect of psoriasis

Svechnikova, E. V.; Marshani, Z. B.; Fomin, K. A.; Evdokimov, E. Yu

In a relatively short period of its existence, the new coronavirus has had a huge impact on the health care system and social infrastructure around the world. Despite the fact that majority of those infected have an asymptomatic or mild course of the disease, in a number of patients the infection becomes threatening and can lead to death. Among the risk factors for an unfavorable outcome, senior age, the presence of comorbidities and, presumably, immunosuppression were identified. This situation also affect the dermatological practice where a number of patients need long-term immunosuppressive therapy. Patients with psoriasis receiving genetically engineered biological drugs (GEBDs) make up a significant proportion of this cohort and discontinuation of treatment can lead to negative consequences. The accumulated knowledge suggests that usage of certain GEBD does not increase the risks of COVID-19 but also can beneficially affect the underlying cytokine storm. Thus, during a pandemic the dermatologists all over the world were faced with the question of the possibility and feasibility of continuing the use of GEBD in patients with psoriasis. The characteristics of the coronavirus, the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and diagnostics of COVID-19 are presented, and data on the possibility of continuing genetically engineered therapy in patients with psoriasis are considered. In addition, the article presents own observations of the new coronavirus infection in patients with psoriasis based on GEBD.