The novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is at the origin of the current pandemic, predominantly manifests with severe respiratory symptoms and a heightened immune response. One characteristic of SARS-CoV-2 is its capacity to induce cytokine storm leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Consequently, agents with the ability to regulate the immune response, such as vitamin D, could become tools either for the prevention or the attenuation of the most severe consequences of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Vitamin D has shown antimicrobial as well as anti-inflammatory properties. While SARS-CoV-2 promotes the release of proinflammatory cytokines, vitamin D attenuates the release of at least some of these same molecules. Inflammatory cytokines have been associated with the clinical phenomena of COVID-19 and in particular with its most dangerous complications. Therefore, the goals of this article are as follows: first, present the numerous roles vitamin D plays in modulating the immune response; second, gather data currently available on COVID-19 clinical presentation and its relation to cytokines and similar molecules; third, expose what it is known about how coronaviruses elicit an inflammatory reaction; and fourth, discuss the potential contribution of vitamin D in reducing the risk and severity of COVID-19.

Anaplasmosis is an emerging infection in the United States and in particular, Pennsylvania. We highlight the abrupt rise in cases of anaplasmosis in the past decade in the state of Pennsylvania with the hope of increasing clinician awareness. We identified a cohort of 61 patients diagnosed with anaplasmosis at our institution as well as cases reported to the Department of Health. From our review, we not only identified an increase in cases over time but what appears to be an expansion further into central and western Pennsylvania over time.