Metals Explain the Relationship Between Toxoplasma gondii, Influenza Virus, and COVID-19: A Hypothesis

Toxic metals such as zinc (Zn) have numerous biological roles in a man’s body, and these tasks are upsetted upon a change in these vital metals. These metals induce various pathological disorders in addition to these positive functions. The current manuscript focuses on the responsibility of Toxoplasma gondii as a host for the influenza virus offering an appropriate environment to the virus to escape the immune system. Consistent with the mentioned hypothesis indicating that COVID-19 is the mutant form of the influenza virus, the slow spread of the pandemic between populations with a high prevalence of toxoplasmosis is attributed to the role of Zn in the regulation of immunity through the protection of host cells from the virus and the guard of parasites that hold viral colonies and stop its spread. It is recommended that experimental studies be performed to prove this hypothesis.