New research published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology suggests that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can directly target and cause cellular damage to the adrenal glands. The resulting adrenal dysfunction may explain adrenal insufficiency in several patients infected with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, along with some of the complications associated with long COVID.
Background
The adrenal glands secrete a wide variety of hormones to help regulate vital processes in the body. It is the main source of glucocorticoids, which are essential in surviving sepsis infection.