Ferritin levels and COVID-19

Abstract

[Extract]. Ferritin is a key mediator of immune dysregulation, especially under extreme hyperferritinemia, via direct immune-suppressive and pro-inflammatory effects, contributing to the cytokine storm1. It has been reported that fatal outcomes by COVID-19 are accompanied by cytokine storm syndrome, thereby it has been suggested that disease severity is dependent of the cytokine storm syndrome2. Many individuals with diabetes exhibit elevated serum ferritin levels3-5, and it is known that they face a higher probability to experience serious complications from COVID-196. On this basis, we briefly review evidence supporting the hypothesis that ferritin levels might be a crucial factor influencing the severity of COVID-19.