PLOS Global Public Health (Jan 2023)

Effects of COVID-19 disease on PAI-1 antigen and haematological parameters during disease management: A prospective cross-sectional study in a regional Hospital in Ghana.

  • Charles Nkansah,
  • Michael Owusu,
  • Samuel Kwasi Appiah,
  • Kofi Mensah,
  • Simon Bannison Bani,
  • Felix Osei-Boakye,
  • Lawrence Duah Agyemang,
  • Ezekiel Bonwin Ackah,
  • Gabriel Abbam,
  • Samira Daud,
  • Yeduah Quansah,
  • Charles Angnataa Derigubah,
  • Francis Atoroba Apodola,
  • Valentine Ayangba,
  • David Amoah Afrifa,
  • Caleb Paul Eshun,
  • Abdul-Waliu Iddrisu,
  • Selina Mintaah,
  • Benjamin Twum,
  • Abidatu Mohammed,
  • Eugene Mensah Agyare,
  • Wendy Akomeah Gyasi,
  • Peace Esenam Agbadza,
  • Candy Adwoa Ewusiwaa Wilson,
  • Seth Anane,
  • Prince Antwi,
  • Reginald Akwasi Yeboah Antwi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0001866
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 6
p. e0001866

Abstract

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BackgroundIndividuals with COVID-19 experience thrombotic events probably due to the associated hypofibrinolysis resulting from the upregulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) antigen. This study evaluated plasma PAI-1 antigen levels and haematological parameters before treatment and after recovery from severe COVID-19 in Ghana.Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted at Sunyani Regional Hospital, and recruited 51 patients who had RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2. Participants' sociodemographic data and clinical characteristics were taken from the hospital records. Venous blood was taken before COVID-19 treatment commenced for FBC, PAI-1 and ferritin assays. FBC was assessed using an automated haematology analyzer, whilst plasma PAI-1 Ag and serum ferritin levels were assessed with sandwich ELISA. All the tests were repeated immediately after participants recovered from COVID-19.ResultsOf the 51 participants recruited into the study, 78.4% (40) had non-severe COVID-19 whiles 21.6% (11) experienced a severe form of the disease. Severe COVID-19 participants had significantly lower haemoglobin (g/dL): 8.1 (7.3-8.4) vs 11.8 (11.0-12.5), pConclusionPlasma PAI-1 Ag level was higher among severe COVID-19 participants. The COVID-19-associated inflammation could affect red blood cell parameters and platelets. Successful recovery from COVID-19, with reduced inflammatory response as observed in the decline of serum ferritin levels restores the haematological parameters. Plasma levels of PAI-1 should be assessed during the management of severe COVID-19 in Ghana. This will enhance the early detection of probable thrombotic events and prompts Physicians to provide interventions to prevent thrombotic complications associated with COVID-19.