الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
SARS-COV-2 is a single-stranded RNA-enclosed virus; both constitutional and non-constitutional proteins are interpreted by gene particles. The open reading frame (ORF) area encodes non-constitutional proteins such as 3-chymotrypsin-like protease, papain-like protease and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, though the S, E, M, and N genes encode constitutional proteins.
The SARS-COV-2 surface is extensively covered with glycosylated S proteins that mediate viral cell entrance by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor on host cells. The type 2 transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2) which is present on the host cell membrane actuates the S protein when the S protein joins to the receptor encouraging virus access into the cell.
The disease can be transmitted by breathing in these droplets or by getting in contact with objects that have been unprotected before rubbing the mouth, nose and eyes. Additionally, the virus can be found in feces, which raises the possibility of water source contamination, aerosolization and oral transmission.
Vitamin D is composed of fat solvent seco-sterols, sometimes named calciferol. Vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 are the two main forms. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is manufactured in the skin of humans from 7-dehydrocholesterol and is also taken from food through the intake of animal-derived foods, whereas vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is mostly a product of human work and added to food.
The 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 pro-differentiating impacts on monocyte-macrophages, antigen-presenting cells, dendritic cells (DC), and lymphocytes are responsible for the ability of vitamin D in regulating infection, autoimmune disorders and tolerance in transplantation. There is a direct causal link between 1, 25(OH)2 vitamin D3 function and innate and adaptive immunity to infections: vitamin D deficiency in rickets is frequently associated with recurrent infections, and vitamin D deficiency in chronic renal failure is frequently associated with a compromised immune system.
Discussions about the implications of vitamin D in both avoiding and treating the COVID-19 pandemic have risen. This is in behalf of the evidence that adequate blood vitamin D levels are essential for immune system health; which can offer assistance in cellular response and protection against the seriousness of infectious diseases.
The immune system may benefit from vitamin D, particularly in COVID-19 patients. For instance, vitamin D will boost the innate immune system’s production of different peptides that have antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial action. It has been demonstrated that vitamin D not only increases the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines by macrophages but also decreases the production of pro-inflammatory Th1 cytokines.
The aim of this work was to study vitamin D status among Egyptian patients with COVID-19 infection, as well as the severity of the disease in relation to vitamin D level.
This case-control study was conducted on 80 subjects divided into 2 groups: 40 confirmed COVID-19 patients (19 females, 21 males) and 40 healthy subjects (19 females, 21 males).