Background: Zinc is an essential micronutrient that impacts host–pathogen interplay at infection. Zinc balances immune responses, and also has a proven direct antiviral action against some viruses. Importantly, zinc deficiency (ZD) is a common condition in elderly and individuals with chronic diseases, two groups with an increased risk for severe severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. We hypothesize that serum zinc content (SZC) influences COVID-19 disease progression, and thus might represent a useful biomarker. Methods: We ran an observational cohort study with 249 COVID-19 patients admitted in Hospital del Mar. We have studied COVID-19 severity and progression attending to SZC at admission. In parallel, we have studied severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) replication in the Vero E6 cell line modifying zinc concentrations. Findings: Our study demonstrates a correlation between serum zinc levels and COVID-19 outcome. Serum zinc levels lower than 50 µg/dL at admission correlated with worse clinical presentation, longer time to reach stability, and higher mortality. Our in vitro results indicate that low zinc levels favor viral expansion in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells. Interpretation: Low SZC is a risk factor that determines COVID-19 outcome. We encourage performing randomized clinical trials to study zinc supplementation as potential prophylaxis and treatment with people at risk of zinc deficiency.
【저자키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, Zinc, clinical outcomes, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19, Treatment, viruses, randomized clinical trial, coronavirus, SARS-CoV2, Biomarker, Mortality, Infection, COVID-19 severity, risk, progression, outcome, risk factor, COVID-19 disease, Prophylaxis, Replication, outcomes, serum, stability, immune responses, Impact, correlation, Admission, COVID-19 patient, Vero E6, Chronic diseases, deficiency, Observational cohort study, acute respiratory syndrome, increased risk, severe coronavirus disease, individual, favor, zinc supplementation, antiviral action, cell line, SARS-CoV-2 infected cells, concentrations, determine, correlated, two group, influence, in vitro result, SZC, 【제목키워드】 Zinc, clinical, Level, Poor, Associate,