sMR and PTX3 levels associate with COVID-19 outcome and survival but not with Long COVID
Lisa Hurler,
Federica Mescia,
Laura Bergamaschi,
Erika Kajdácsi,
György Sinkovits,
László Cervenak,
Zoltán Prohászka,
Paul A. Lyons,
Erik J.M. Toonen
Affiliations
Lisa Hurler
Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
Federica Mescia
Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
Laura Bergamaschi
Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
Erika Kajdácsi
Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
György Sinkovits
Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
László Cervenak
Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
Zoltán Prohászka
Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Research Group for Immunology and Haematology, Semmelweis University - Eötvös Loránd Research Network (Office for Supported Research Groups), Budapest, Hungary
Paul A. Lyons
Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
Erik J.M. Toonen
Research and Development Department, Hycult Biotech, Uden, the Netherlands; Corresponding author
Summary: Biomarkers for monitoring COVID-19 disease course are lacking. Study aim was to identify biomarkers associated with disease severity, survival, long-term outcome, and Long COVID. As excessive macrophages activation is a hallmark of COVID-19 and complement activation is key in this, we selected the following proteins involved in these processes: PTX3, C1q, C1-INH, C1s/C1-INH, and sMR. EDTA-plasma concentrations were measured in 215 patients and 47 controls using ELISA. PTX3, sMR, C1-INH, and C1s/C1-INH levels were associated with disease severity. PTX3 and sMR were also associated with survival and long-term immune recovery. Lastly, sMR levels associate with ICU admittance. sMR (AUC 0.85) and PTX3 (AUC 0.78) are good markers for disease severity, especially when used in combination (AUC 0.88). No association between biomarker levels and Long COVID was observed. sMR has not previously been associated with COVID-19 disease severity, ICU admittance or survival and may serve as marker for disease course.
