Biomarkers of Air-Blood Barrier Damage In COVID-19

The search for sensitive and specific markers enabling timely identification of patients with a life-threatening novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is important for a successful treatment.

The aim of the study was to examine the association of molecular biomarkers of air-blood barrier damage, surfactant proteins SP-A and SP-D and Club cell protein CC16, with the outcome of patients with COVID-19.

Materials and methods. A cohort of 109 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 was retrospectively divided into two groups. Group 1 comprised survivor patients discharged from the ICU (w=90). Group 2 included the patients who did not survive (w=19). Association of disease outcome and SP-A, SP-D, and CC16 levels in blood serum, clinical, and laboratory data were examined taking into account the day of illness at the time of biomaterial collection.

Results. The non-survivors had higher SP-A (from days 1 to 10 of symptoms onset) and lower CC16 (from days 11 to 20 of symptoms onset) levels vs survivors discharged from ICU. No significant differences in SP-D levels between the groups were found.

Conclusion. According to the study results, the surfactant protein SP-A and Club cell protein CC16 are associated with increased COVID-19 mortality.

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