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Publications

Journal Article Review Epublish

PubMed: 40333344 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines13040431

Viral Infections in Elderly Individuals: A Comprehensive Overview of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Susceptibility, Pathogenesis, and Clinical Treatment Strategies.

Vaccines (Basel) 13(4)

Authors: Yanhao Huang, Shumin Li, Wenjie Ye, Haoyun Wang, Jun Su, Lijuan Gao, Ruohu Shi, Xinyi Mou, Sean Xiao Leng, Chanchan Xiao, Guobing Chen

Affiliations

  • The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University (Dongguan Eastern Central Hospital), School of Medicine, Jinan University, Dongguan 523000, China. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Geriatric Immunology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China. Key Laboratory of Viral Pathogenesis & Infection Prevention and Control (Jinan University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510632, China. Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Great Bay Area Geroscience Joint Laboratory, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
  • Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Geriatric Immunology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China. Key Laboratory of Viral Pathogenesis & Infection Prevention and Control (Jinan University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510632, China. Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Great Bay Area Geroscience Joint Laboratory, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
  • First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
  • Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Immune Remodeling, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Departments of Medicine, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
  • The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University (Dongguan Eastern Central Hospital), School of Medicine, Jinan University, Dongguan 523000, China. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Geriatric Immunology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China. Key Laboratory of Viral Pathogenesis & Infection Prevention and Control (Jinan University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510632, China. Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Great Bay Area Geroscience Joint Laboratory, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China. Zhuhai Institute of Jinan University, Jinan University, Zhuhai 519070, China.

Abstract

As age increases, the immune function of elderly individuals gradually decreases, increasing their susceptibility to infectious diseases. Therefore, further research on common viral infections in the elderly population, especially severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza viruses, is crucial for scientific progress. This review delves into the genetic structure, infection mechanisms, and impact of coinfections with these two viruses and provides a detailed analysis of the reasons for the increased susceptibility of elderly individuals to dual viral infections. We evaluated the clinical manifestations in elderly individuals following coinfections, including complications in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. Ultimately, we have summarized the current strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza coinfections in older adults. Through these studies, we aim to reduce the risk of dual infections in elderly individuals and provide a scientific basis for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of age-related viral diseases, thereby improving their health status.

MeSH

Sars-Cov-2, Aging, Coinfection, Aged, Influenza, Human, Viruses, Diagnosis, Therapeutics, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus, Orthomyxoviridae, Infections, Virus Diseases