POMC and adrenocortical insufficiency: Already in the context of the previous outbreak of SARS 2003, it has been hypothesized that SARS-CoV inhibits the adrenal stress responses causing a relative adrenocortical insufficiency, via molecular mimicry of ACTH and an immune response that cross reacts with ACTH, and/or direct hypothalamic and pituitary effects [84, 88].