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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new human infectious disease. The etiology for this outbreak is a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Thus far, related research on COVID-19 is still in preliminary stage. This paper summarized the latest outcomes of corresponding study from Chinese centers and clarified the hematopoietic abnormality caused by SARS-CoV-2 and potential mechanism. Lymphopenia was common in the early stage after the onset of COVID-19. A significant decrease was observed in peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. As the illness progressed, neutrophilia emerged in several cases, and patients with severe critical pulmonary conditions showed higher neutrophils than common type. Thrombocytopenia was resulting from the consumption and/or the reduced production of platelets in damaged lungs. Anemia was not observed notably, but the decrease in hemoglobin was frequent. The activation of monocyte-macrophage system aggravates the immune damage of lung and other tissues, which leads to the increase of D-dimer, prothrombin time, and platelet consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few data exist on HIV disease progression and antiretroviral treatment (ART) impact among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. Using data from the national case reporting system from 2004 to 2010, we describe changes in CD4 cell count before and after ART initiation, disease progression, and mortality among MSM in Jiangsu province compared with other persons living with HIV/AIDS. Median CD4 cell count among MSM at HIV diagnosis was 432 and decreased rapidly in 12 months to below the level of heterosexuals (slope: MSM −38.0, heterosexuals −15.5, injection drug users [IDU] −8.0, blood donors −10.5). Among those initiating ART, median CD4 cell count among MSM was 157, yet the increase in count was slower than for other groups (slope: MSM 26.9, heterosexuals 31.9, IDU 29.0, blood donors 35.0). Progression to AIDS was faster among MSM than heterosexuals and IDU. For the present, the mortality rate was lower for MSM compared with heterosexuals and blood donors; however, against a backdrop of more recent infection (ie, MSM had younger age, and 93.8 % were diagnosed after 2008), findings suggest a survival rate for MSM that will fall behind other groups. Improved medical and psychosocial supportive care is needed for this stigmatized population lest disparities become greater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]