Red face may be a specific sign of SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant. (2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nakaya, Aya; Ogura, Eiji; Katayama, Yuki; Yoshii, Masami; Yoshino, Eiko; Hozumi, Kazuya; Tago, Saori; Teranishi, Yuko; Minamibashi, Yuki; Harada, Makiko; Yoshioka, Mami; Kawano, Yuri; Arai, Yuka; Yoshida, Keno; Shimizu, Shozo; Ogura, Kazuma; Iwashita, Katsuaki
• Is Part Of: IDCases. Volume 25(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant -- Red face -- Pneumonia -- Cytokine storm; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Case Reports; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2021.e01214
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-2509

Abstract

Highlights: Red face was seen in three patients with COVID-19. Red face may reflect a cytokine storm. Red face may be predictive of a sudden deterioration. Abstract: Japan is currently suffering the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the dominant type being SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant. Patients with COVID-19 variant types show more aggressive symptoms. In the present study, three patients developed a red face during treatment. Two of them suddenly worsened shortly after. We assumed that the red face reflected a cytokine storm and conjectured that it may be a specific sign of variant type COVID-19, because we have never seen it in patients with non-variant type. Moreover, we believe that red face may be predictive of a sudden deterioration.