Decrease of non‐classical and intermediate monocyte subsets in severe acute SARS‐CoV‐2 infection

Gatti, Arianna; Radrizzani, Danilo; Viganò, Paolo; Mazzone, Antonino; Brando, Bruno

In patients with severe SARS‐CoV‐2 infection the development of cytokine storm induces extensive lung damage, and monocytes play a role in this pathological process. Non‐classical (NC) and intermediate (INT) monocytes are known to be involved during viral and bacterial infections. In this study 30 patients with different manifestations of acute SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were investigated with a flow cytometric study of NC, INT and classical (CL) monocytes. Significantly reduced NC and INT monocytes and a down‐regulated HLA‐DR were found in acute patients with severe SARS‐CoV‐2 symptoms. Conversely in patients with moderate symptoms NC and INT monocytes and CD11b expression were increased. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.