Is diabetes a real susceptibility for SARS-CoV-2 oral manifestation?

Abstract

Background: Furin, a polybasic cleavage enzyme, is increasingly recognized in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndromes like diabetes. Its cleavage action is an essential activation step for the SARS-CoV-2 attachment site at the junction of S1 and S2, the two subunits of the spike. This allows effective cleavage by furin and has a role in determining viral infectivity and host range. The increased expression of the furin enzyme in the saliva is remarkable enough to be noted as a susceptibility factor for diabetic patients. Aim of the Study: The present study focuses on the qualitative assessment of the furin enzyme through an immunological ELISA test. Materials and Methods Used: The study consisted of three groups, each of whom was a COVID-19 recovered patient (n = 20), a diabetic patient (n = 20), and a healthy patient (n = 20). Result: The study assessed significantly increased levels of the furin enzyme generally in diabetic patients and COVID-19 recovered patients as compared to the healthy control group. Conclusion: The estimation of furin in saliva still holds the possibility of being a prognostic marker in many COVID-19 infected patients. Further evidence-based studies are required to establish the same.