Coronavirus infection and psoriasis: relationship and consequences

Abstract

As numerous scientific data show, despite the fact that patients with severe psoriasis have a high risk of coronavirus infection, COVID-19 in this group proceeds quite easily. However, many specialists have encountered an unusual exacerbation of the psoriatic process already after the infection, the reasons for which may be several. On the one hand, the skin is one of the target organs for SARS-CoV-2, on the other hand, exacerbations may be caused by the immune system response to the infection. The influence of specific therapy on the course of the psoriatic process is also not excluded. But interleukin status of patients with psoriasis is of the greatest interest. It is known that interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays an active role in pathogenesis of COVID-19 and cytokine storm arising at infection. It is also regarded as an indicator of inflammatory activity in psoriasis. In addition, IL-6 is involved in lipid and hepatobiliary disorders in this group of patients. It is also associated with IL-17, the role of which has been well studied in psoriasis and autoimmune hepatitis. Patients with psoriasis often have changes in biochemical blood parameters, similar to those seen with COVID-19. Combinations of all these factors can lead to exacerbation of psoriasis with predominance of erythroderma and toxic component. In our opinion, in such cases it is necessary to include in the therapy a systemic hepatoprotective drug containing glycyrrhizic acid. It has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, inhibits IL-6 production and allows to achieve significant improvement of psoriatic process in a short time.