Scientists name factors affecting survival in severe COVID

Scientists from Canada and Spain have identified factors that influence the survival rate of patients with a severe form of COVID-19. According to their data, these are blood test indicators, the main of which is the level of specific antibodies against the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. This information is contained in an article published in the Journal of Internal Medicine.

According to scientists, until now, it remained unclear which of these was considered key in determining the likelihood of lethal outcome.

Specific antibodies to the spike protein COVID-19 can block viral replication. Antigenemia reflects the total amount of foreign substances identified by the body as antigens. In turn, the amount of viral RNA tells how much virus is currently in the body.

For the study, the results of tests performed on 92 adult patients who were treated at the University Hospital of Rio Ortega and the Clinical Hospital of the University of Valladolid, the Gregorio Marañón Hospital and the University Hospital of the Prince of Asturias in Madrid were used. They were all in the medical facilities between March 16 and April 15, 2020, the first wave of the pandemic, and had a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, which they were diagnosed with using a PCR test. All patients also had blood taken for analysis on the first day of treatment.

As part of the study, specialists profiled antibodies (primarily IgM and IgG) against COVID-19 S-protein and evaluated the relationship between their levels, the RNA concentration of the virus and the presence of nucleoprotein (N) protein of this infection in plasma. Plasma levels of total antigens to protein N were also evaluated and how they affected mortality risk was examined.

The findings confirm that “these antibodies help prevent the systemic spread of SARS-CoV-2,” the scientists also noted.
The study authors believe their findings will help determine the optimal level of antibodies for each critical coronavirus patient.

At the end of August, specialists from New York University published a study stating that those who died of COVID-19 had ten times more virus particles in their lungs. At the same time, the immune system of critically ill patients did not respond excessively.