Abstract
Rationale/objectives: SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of worldwide COVID-19, which severity has been linked to the immune and inflammatory response. Here, we investigate Torquetenovirus (TTV) DNA load – a marker reflecting the intensity of the overall immune response – as well as SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia and IgM/IgG antibodies in COVID-19-positive patients.
Methods: Two hundred and fifteen COVID-19-positive patients were enrolled, including 87 severe cases and 128 mild-moderate cases. SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia and IgM/IgG antibodies, as well as TTV DNA loads, were measured on longitudinal plasma samples.
Results: The rate of severe cases was higher in patients with low TTV DNA load in plasma considering a threshold of 700 copies/mL. In severe patients, SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia positivity rates were higher than those in mild-moderate cases at any timepoint. When combined, TTV DNA load and SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia allowed to predict the outcome of COVID-19 infection, with a higher risk (HR=12.4) of ICU admission in patients with low TTV DNA load and positive SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia.
Conclusions: TTV DNA load and SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia may be effective, non-invasive markers reflecting disease severity and poor outcome that could be conveniently measured in a clinical laboratory setting, as soon as COVID-19 diagnosis is made.
Keywords: Biomarker; COVID-19; Immunity.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, Biomarker, Immunity, 【초록키워드】 antibodies, SARS-CoV-2, immune response, antibody, severity, disease severity, outcome, immune, Laboratory, DNA, COVID-19 infection, IgM/IgG, Patient, COVID-19 diagnosis, ICU admission, plasma, threshold, patients, predict, marker, Inflammatory response, intensity, higher risk, severe patients, plasma samples, Severe case, positive, effective, enrolled, were measured, non-invasive marker, 【제목키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, DNA, marker, Predictive,