Introduction:
Viruses are a type of bacteria (pathogens) so tiny that they can only be seen with a microscope. All viruses carry genetic information (DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid or RNA: ribonucleic acid) inside a protective shell (capsid). One can think of it like an envelope with instructions. Our cells are like whole factories. They include instructions and all the equipment needed to run. Some viruses, such as herpes virus and adenovirus, can cause different types of illness. Types of viral infections include:
- Respiratory infections.
- Digestive system infections.
- Viral hemorrhagic fever.
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- A rash (causing a rash) infection.
- Nerve infection.
- Congenital infection.
Almost all viral infections are contagious (can be passed from person to person). Viruses need to infect organisms in order to reproduce. Therefore, human viruses survive transmission between humans.
What Are the Various Hematological Manifestations of Viral Infection?
Various hematological manifestations of viral infection are listed below:
1. Blood Clots: Blood clots can cause mild to life-threatening problems. When a blood clot impairs blood flow in a vein or artery, tissues that normally receive oxygen from that blood vessel are deprived of oxygen, and cells in the area can die. Blood clots can cause mild to life-threatening problems. Abnormal blood clotting occurs in some people infected with a virus. Some people with viral infections have a massive inflammatory response. A blood clot in an artery supplying to the brain can cause a stroke. Some people who were young and healthy prior to viral infection have had strokes, probably due to abnormal blood clotting. Blockage of blood vessels in the kidneys by blood clots can lead to kidney failure. Dialysis can also be difficult if blood clots clog the filters of machines designed to remove impurities from the blood. The symptoms of a clot getting stuck are listed below:
- Throbbing pain.
- Swelling of the area.
- Warm the skin around the painful area.
- The skin around the painful area may become red or dark.
- Swollen veins that are stiff or painful to the touch.
2. Viral Hemorrhagic Fever: It is an infectious disease that can cause severe, life-threatening illness. They can damage the walls of small blood vessels, causing leaks and affecting blood's ability to clot. The resulting internal bleeding is usually not life-threatening but can be life-threatening in some disorders. Viral hemorrhagic fevers include:
- Dengue fever.
- Ebola.
- Lassa.
- Marburg.
- Yellow fever.
These diseases are most commonly found in tropical regions. In the United States, people typically have recently traveled to one of these regions. There is no cure for viral hemorrhagic fever. Vaccines are available for only a few species. Prevention is the best approach until more vaccines are developed. Signs of viral hemorrhagic fevers vary by disease. Some early signs and symptoms can include:
- Fatigue
- Fever.
- Dizziness.
- Muscle, bone, or joint aches.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
3. Impaired Hematopoiesis: Hematopoietic disorders (disorder related to blood formation) One of the most commonly accepted causes of virus-induced thrombocytopenia is that viruses can directly infect bone marrow cells and hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells, leading to hematopoietic disorders and thrombocytopenia (low platelet level). In addition, decreased platelet production may be a result of altered cytokine (protein modulating inflammation in the body) profiles during infection, leading to decreased hepatic thrombopoietin (TPO) production and thus decreased megakaryopoiesis (maturation of bone marrow cells that further produce blood). Finally, viruses can infect and proliferate megakaryocytes, while other viruses can modulate megakaryocyte function or expression of myeloproliferative leukemia protein (c-MPL), the receptor for TPO, leading to the destruction of megakaryocytes and subsequent decrease in platelet production.
4. Platelet Aggregation: Aggregation or adhesion of platelets to leukocytes is common in patients with systemic inflammatory diseases, including viral infections. Standard automated hematology analyzers often fail to accurately detect leukocyte-bound platelets or platelet aggregates, leading to false detection of low platelet count (pseudo thrombocytopenia). It can also be caused by drawing blood into a tube containing EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), the anticoagulant most commonly used for complete blood counts. If pseudo thrombocytopenia is suspected, manual peripheral blood smears or repeat platelet counts with various anticoagulants can be used to avoid unnecessary diagnostic procedures and blood transfusions. Isolated thrombocytopenia should prompt the investigation of chronic viral infections such as Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, whereas elevated leukocyte abnormalities and other biomarkers of infection raise suspicion of acute viral disease.
5. Sequestration and Intravascular Destruction: Platelet destruction can occur through direct platelet-viral interaction. This interaction occurs through a series of receptors, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs) (proteins playing a key role in inflammation), integrins (GPIIb/IIIa), and c-type lectins (CLECs), which interact with various viruses and affect platelet activity. Contribute to degranulation, degranulation, and clearance. Host defense generally triggers a systemic inflammatory response during viral infection, leading to platelet activation and subsequent elimination. In addition, platelets bind to neutrophils to form platelet-neutrophil aggregates, which lead to platelet phagocytosis (engulfment of platelet by immune cells). In addition, many viruses activate the coagulation system through the induction of tissue factor, leading to thrombin formation and platelet activation, which subsequently remove platelets via protease-activated receptor (PAR) signaling.
6. Platelets Causing Inflammation and Secreting Antibacterial Proteins: Activated platelets undergo degranulation, releasing numerous inflammatory mediators, cytokines, and chemokines stored in granules. There are three types of granules: α-granules, compact granules, and lysosomal granules. These granules contain a variety of molecules that can exert prothrombotic and immunological effects, resulting in direct and indirect interactions with a variety of pro-inflammatory immune cells. It creates a local or systemic inflammatory environment.
Conclusion:
Viral infections are diseases caused by viruses (small bacteria that use cells to multiply). The most common viral illnesses include colds, flu, novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), norovirus (stomach flu), HPV (warts), and herpes simplex virus (herpes). Many viral infections resolve on their own, but some cause life-threatening chronic illnesses. Viral infections lead to the manifestation of various blood-related disorders. Timely diagnosis and treatment are important for speedy recovery.
