Researchers call it Mip-C and it is a serious disease, unknown and recently discovered by international research. It seems to be the consequence of a Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus infection, even mild or asymptomatic. There Mip-C it is an autoimmune disease that can cause a significant form of pneumonia. Researchers are working to understand it more deeply and to intervene appropriately.
What is Mip-C and how is it taken
The group of researchers who studied the disease Mip-C started from some clinical data collected on people living in Yorkshire, a territory in the North of England. These people presented the symptoms of a completely new disorder never encountered before, probably due to previous infection with Sars-CoV-2: all the subjects with Mip-C had in common the fact of having contracted Covid-19, not only in severe form but also as a mild or even asymptomatic infection, confirmed by swabs carried out. What worries experts most is that the Mip-C is characterized by a high degree of mortality. In fact, of the 60 people taken into consideration in the study, eight lost their lives.
Mip-C and contagion among children
The disease has been called “MDA5 autoimmunity syndrome and interstitial pneumonia concurrent with Covid-19,” for brevity Mip-C, as well as by analogy with the Mis-C. The latter is another autoimmune disease, typical of children, recently discovered and believed to be a consequence associated with Covid, which affects the little ones. There Mip-C it is a disorder similar to another already known autoimmune disorder, called anti-MDA5 positive dermatomyositis. Like Mip-C this disease is rare in the UK and the West in general, more widespread in China and Japan. It is inflammatory, chronic and involves skin and muscles. It can cause serious interstitial pneumonia which in some cases leads to death. It is caused by autoantibodies that attack MDA5 or Melanoma Differentiation-Associated protein 5, an enzyme capable of detecting Sars-CoV-2 and other viruses that cause diseases of this type.
Symptoms of Mip-C disease
Noting the affinity of the symptoms of the new affection with those of the dermatomyositis, researchers suspected there was an association with Covid-19. Continuing with the investigations, they realized that people who had had a more intense autoimmune reaction against the MDA5 enzyme had high levels of interleukin-15 in their blood, a protein of the immune system responsible for inflammation that accompanies progressive interstitial pneumonia And pulmonary fibrosis.
In addition to serious lung damage, however, the new Mip-C disease also manifests itself with other symptoms than anti-MDA5 positive dermatomyositis. Specifically, the following also appear:
- rheumatological disorders such as arthritis and muscle pain
- extensive skin rashes.
The consequences of Mip-C
According to experts, the new disease has also spread outside the United Kingdom, but there is currently a lack of data on this. In any case, it is important not to lower one’s guard, because progressive interstitial pneumonia can gradually damage the respiratory capacity of the lungs, leading to the formation of fibrotic tissue, which prevents the lungs themselves from dilating and taking in air and, therefore, oxygen. The risk is to run into problems respiratory failure. Furthermore, the disease, at least in the cases studied, is characterized by a high mortality rate. “At the moment it is not possible to advance other hypotheses, because it is a situation that needs to be explored in depth with further investigations” clarifies Professor Fabrizio Pregliasco, virologist and health director of the Galeazzi Institute in Milan. “The vaccine is always the best weapon to protect yourself from this consequence of Covid”. If any abnormal symptoms appear, such as skin rashes, muscle pain and especially breathing difficulties, it is important to talk to your doctor.
Cover photo Gustavo Fring for pexels.com
In short
Mip-C is a new disease, of autoimmune origin, which occurs in rare cases as a consequence of Sars-CoV-2 infection. It causes muscle pain, rashes on the skin and above all exposes you to respiratory problems. Experts are still studying it because it was just discovered. However, if we notice these symptoms in ourselves or in children, it is best to contact the doctor immediately.
The information contained on this site is not intended and must not in any way replace the direct relationship between health professionals and the user. It is therefore advisable to always consult your doctor and/or specialists.
