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Immune cells’ intense reaction to the coronavirus may lead to pneumonia

The virus appears to target macrophages that reside in the lung tissue

COVID patient lung x-ray checked by doctors

Health workers in Ecuador examine a chest X-ray from a COVID-19 patient in early 2022. A new study suggests that immune cells that reside in the lung tissue may play a role in the progression of a coronavirus infection to pneumonia.

RODRIGO BUENDIA/Getty Images

By Aimee Cunningham

The intense reaction of one of the lungs’ guardians against infection may help explain why COVID-19 can become severe.