Does the pathogenesis of SAR-CoV-2 virus decrease at high-altitude?

Arias-Reyes, Christian; Zubieta-DeUrioste, Natalia; Poma-Machicao, Liliana; Aliaga-Raudan, Fernanda; Carvajal-Rodriguez, Favio; Dutschmann, Mathias; Schneider-Gasser, EdithM.; Zubieta-Calleja, Gustavo; Soliz, Jorge

In the present study we analyze the epidemiologic data of COVID-19 of Tibet and high-altitude regions of Bolivia and Ecuador, and compare to lowland data, to test the hypothesis that high-altitude inhabitants (+2500 m above sea-level) are less susceptible to develop severe adverse effect in acute SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. Analysis of available epidemiological data suggest that physiological adaptations that counterbalance the hypoxic environment altitude may protect from severe impact of acute SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. Potential underlying mechanisms such as: (i) a compromised half-live of the virus caused by the high-altitude environment, and (ii) a hypoxia mediated down regulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is the main binding target of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the pulmonary epithelia are discussed.