Get latest articles and stories on Health at LatestLY. A new study in the journal Nature Communications reveals how a viral toxin produced by the SARS-CoV-2 virus may contribute to severe COVID-19 infections. The study shows how a portion of the SARS-CoV-2 "spike" protein can damage cell barriers that line the inside of blood vessels within organs of the body such as the lungs, contributing to what is known as a vascular leak. Blocking the activity of this protein may help prevent some of COVID-19's deadliest symptoms, including pulmonary oedema, which contributes to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Health News | Research Shows How a Viral Toxin May Exacerbate Severe COVID-19.