Characterization model of the post COVID-19 condition based on immunological, biochemical, and cytokine markers
Bárbara Oliván-Blázquez,
Marta Bona-Otal,
Fátima Méndez-López,
David Lerma-Irureta,
Paula García-Izuel,
Jesús Ibáñez-Ruiz,
Alberto Montolío,
María Ruiz-Herreros,
Javier Godino,
Beatriz Jimeno-Beltran,
María del Mar Encabo-Berzosa,
Izaskun Arenaz,
Ana Medel-Martínez,
Verónica Casado-Vicente,
Mayte Coiras,
Carlos Tellería-Orriols,
Jon Schoorlemmer,
Rosa Magallón-Botaya
Affiliations
Bárbara Oliván-Blázquez
Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Aragonese Primary Care Research Group (GAIAP), Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain; Research Network on Chronicity, Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
Marta Bona-Otal
Navarre Health Service, Pamplona, Spain
Fátima Méndez-López
Aragonese Primary Care Research Group (GAIAP), Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain; Research Network on Chronicity, Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain; Corresponding author
David Lerma-Irureta
Aragonese Primary Care Research Group (GAIAP), Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
Paula García-Izuel
Department of Medicine, Psychiatry and Dermatology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
Jesús Ibáñez-Ruiz
Biocomputing Unit, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain
Alberto Montolío
Biocomputing Unit, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain
María Ruiz-Herreros
Tarazona Primary Health Care Center, Aragonese Healthcare Service (SALUD), Zaragoza, Spain
Javier Godino
Cell Separation and Flow Cytometry Core, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain
Beatriz Jimeno-Beltran
Cell Separation and Flow Cytometry Core, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain
María del Mar Encabo-Berzosa
Biobank of the Aragon Health System, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain
Izaskun Arenaz
Biobank of the Aragon Health System, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain
Ana Medel-Martínez
Placental Pathophysiology & Fetal Programming Research Group, Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
Verónica Casado-Vicente
Parquesol University Health Center, Castilla y León Health Service (SACYL), University Teaching Unit of Family and Community Medicine, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
Mayte Coiras
Immunopathology and Viral Reservoir Unit, National Center of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
Carlos Tellería-Orriols
Biocomputing Unit, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain
Jon Schoorlemmer
Endogenous Retroviruses (ERVs) in Development and Disease Group, Instituto Aragonés deCiencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain; and ARAID Foundation, Zaragoza, Spain
Rosa Magallón-Botaya
Aragonese Primary Care Research Group (GAIAP), Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain; Research Network on Chronicity, Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain; Department of Medicine, Psychiatry and Dermatology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
Summary: Post-coronavirus disease condition (PCC) continues to affect many people globally, yet there remains a lack of diagnostic biomarkers to distinguish PCC from those recovered from acute COVID-19. This study compared biomarkers between two age- and gender-matched groups: PCC individuals and those recovered within three months of acute COVID-19 in 2020 (n = 85 each). Biomarkers were assessed 12–24 months after initial diagnosis, examining biochemical profiles, blood cell counts, coagulation status, antibody serology, lymphocyte populations, and cytokine levels. PCC individuals exhibited significant alterations in 49 of 167 markers, including K+ levels, αGAD antibodies, antithrombin III, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP3), and interleukin-10 (IL-10). A panel of αGAD, IL-10, potassium levels, and CD16brightCD56− cell presence distinguished PCC individuals from recovered patients with >88% accuracy and <92% precision.
