Pulmonary fibrosis is a sequela to adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). 40% of
patients with corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) develop ARDS, and 20% of them are severe.
Clinical, radiographic, and autopsy reports of pulmonary fibrosis were commonplace following
SARS and MERS, and current evidence suggests pulmonary fibrosis could complicate infection by
SARS-CoV-2 too. Colchicine has a direct anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the synthesis
of tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-6, monocyte migration, and the secretion of matrix
metalloproteinase-9. It suppress secretion of cytokines and chemokines as well as in vitro
platelet aggregation. All these are potentially beneficial effects that might diminish the
COVID-19 inflammatory storm associated with severe cases.