Important read here especially for first responders, ER, ICU. “…study reveals that COVID-19 attacks hemoglobin in red blood cells, rendering it incapable of transporting oxygen.”
The following full paper is more precisely worded than the review article linked above. The full paper is linked in the review article, but here is the link. https://chemrxiv.org/articles/COVID-19_Disease_ORF8_and_Surface_Glycoprotein_Inhibit_Heme_Metabolism_by_Binding_to_Porphyrin/11938173
This sort of computer modelling study must be done in drug/vaccine and diagnostic development. The paper is NOT a recommended treatment, as they clearly state, no clinical testing has been done. No invitro testing has been done. They call for such testing.
And here is one anecdotal, single case report that appears to confirm the computer-modeled hypothetical mechanism of action.
J Med Virol. 2020 Apr 8. doi: 10.1002/jmv.25839. [Epub ahead of print]
Does recombinant human Erythropoietin administration in critically ill COVID-19 patients have miraculous therapeutic effects?
Hadadi A1, Mortezazadeh M2, Kolahdouzan K3, Alavian G4.
Author information
1 Department of Infectious Diseases, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2 Internal Medicine Department, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
3 Cancer Institute, Radiation Oncology Department, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
4 Pharmacotherapy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
An 80-year-old man with multiple comorbidities presented to the emergency department with tachypnea, tachycardia, fever and critically low O2 saturation and definitive chest CT scan findings in favor of COVID-19 and positive PCR results in 48 h. He received antiviral treatment plus recombinant human Erythropoietin(rhEPO) due to his severe anemia. After 7 days of treatment, he was discharged with miraculous improvement in his symptoms and hemoglobin level. We concluded that rhEPO could attenuate respiratory distress syndrome and confront the SARS-CoV-2 virus through multiple mechanisms including cytokine modulation, anti-apoptotic effects, leukocyte release from bone marrow, and iron redistribution away from the intracellular virus. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome; COVID-19; Cytokine; Erythropoietin
PMID:
32270515
DOI:
10.1002/jmv.25839
Here is a critical review of this computer modeling study. “Does Coronavirus Really Attack Hemoglobin in the Cells?”
•Streamed live on Apr 10, 2020. Drbeen Medical Lectures. https://youtu.be/-U9zt_T0lPU
budbromley 
I wonder if my inherited beta thalassemia minor would protect me, as it presumably does against malaria.
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Ron. it is a good question, similiar to, will those with with sickle cell anemia have higher survival rate and lower death rate
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