Effect of obesity on immune response against covid-19

Abstract Background and Aim: In Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, a new coronavirus, now known as SARS-CoV-2, produced a series of acute atypical respiratory diseases in December 2019. A number of studies have investigated for risk factors in attempt to provide prevention and treatmentoptions for the general public. Obesity, along with other comorbidities such diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and heart failure, has been recognized as a risk factor for catastrophic outcomes in patients with COVID-19 infection. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the association between the incidence of COVID-19 infection and BMI according to the demographic data. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional was conducted in the Iraq-Erbil city between 15th October 2020 to 5th of February 2021. Inclusion criteria were participants that tested positive for SARS-COVID-2. The patients classified according to their weight into 6 classes. The semiquantitative analysis of IgG and IgM antiSARSCoV2 antibodies was carried out for 200 enrolled participants by ELISA and also vitamin and ferritin level measured for the patients. Results: The incidence of COVID-19 infection was higher among male by 4% than female. The highest percentage of COVID19 infection reported among the age group of (30-39) years old. The prevalence of the mentioned infection was higher among class 1 obesity group. A total of 200 IgG and IgM tests revealed that the underweight and class 3 obese patients had the highest percentage of positive cases in IgG testing by (100 %) while the obese patient class 1 reported highest percentage of positive IgM cases (47.36 percent). Furthermore, the highest number of underweight people (100%) had vitamin D3 deficiency among patients and the highest percentage of iron deficiency anemia was among class 3 obese patients (25%). Conclusions: The present study concluded gender balance in COVID19 incidence. The infection of COVID-19 was found in all age groups. However, middle age group appears to be more susceptible. The highest IgG and IgM reported among obese patients. The highest number of underweight people had vitamin D3 deficiency. In contrast, the highest percentage of iron deficiency anemia was reported in class 3 obese patients Keywords: Age, Body Mass Index, COVID-19, Gender, Vitamin D.