Covid-19 decreases immune system T cells, making patients more vulnerable

An illustration of T cells attacking a cancer cell. These white blood cells also help to fight off infections, but appear to be decreased in Covid-19 patients. — 123rf.com

Cytokine storms may affect the severity of Covid-19 cases by lowering T cell counts, according to a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology.

Researchers studying coronavirus cases in China found that sick patients had a significantly low number of T cells – a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in immune response – and that T cell counts were negatively correlated with case severity.