ABSTRACT
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infection is characterized by several malfunctions, including severe pulmonary disorders. Other metabolic consequences of SARS-CoV-2-infection have not been clearly defined. The present study assessed the status of blood gases, calcium metabolism, and electrolytes in SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals. One hundred and thirty-four newly diagnosed SARS-CoV-2-infected patients (age ranged 65-82 years) attendingMullingar Regional Hospital, Republic of Ireland, participated in this study. They all had pulmonary disorders, pyrexia, body pains, etc. SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed in all patients using the RT-PCR molecular test method. The data of another 121 plasma samples of apparently normal, non-SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals taken before the emergence of Covid-19 served as controls. Levels of partial pressure of oxygen (pO2), saturated oxygen (SatO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), and ionized calcium (Ca2+) were determined in all participants using the potentiometric method in RAPIDPOINT 500 Blood Gases System. Plasma vitamin-D was determined by immune enzymatically technique using DXi 800 Access Immunoassay System. Total calcium, phosphate, albumin, magnesium, and electrolytes were determined by the photometric method using Beckman Au680- Chemistry Analyzer. The results showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of pCO2 and HCO3- in COVID-19-patients compared to controls. Significantly(p < 0.05) lower levels of pO2, SatO2, pH, K+, albumin, total-calcium, Ca2+, magnesium, and vitamin-D were observed in COVID-19 patients compared to controls. Corrected calcium, PO4-, Na+, and Cl- levels did not show significant (p>0.05) changes in the COVID-19-patients compared to controls. Abnormal blood gases, acidosis, hypomagnesaemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypovitaminosis D and calcium metabolic disorders could be features of COVID-19-disease.
ABSTRACT
The patho-physiology of COVID19 is still not clear. This study investigated the status of coagulation, LDH activity, and inflammation in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. One hundred and thirty-four newly diagnosed COVID19 infected patients (age ranged 65-82 years) attending Mullingar Regional Hospital, Mullingar, Republic of Ireland, volunteered to participate in this study. They all presented with a pulmonary disorder, pyrexia, vomiting, body pains, etc. SARS-CoV-2 confirmatory test was done with RT-PCR molecular test using Cepheid Genexpert System. The data of another 121 plasma samples of apparently normal, non-COVID19 infected individuals taken before the emergence of COVID19 served as controls. Levels of blood platelets was determined in the participants using Siemen ADVIA 2120 Haematological System, and plasma D-dimer was determined in the participants using Star Max-Stago-Automatic Coagulation Analyzer LDH activity, plasma ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined in the participants using Beckman AU680-Chemistry Analyser. SARS-CoV-2 -infected patients showed significantly (p< 0.001) higher levels of D-dimer (1522.95+1395.45 ng/ml), CRP (125.3+116.4 mg/l), ferritin (488.5+514.9pg/l), and LDH activity (574.4+446.7iu/l) compared to controls (78.8+18.1 ng/ml, 2.4+1.7 mg/l, 61.3+58.2pg/l, 304.1+76.6iu/l respectively). The blood platelet count did not show significant (p>0.05) change in the COVID19 patients (252.2 x 109+101 x 109) compared to controls (256.4 x 109+63.2 x 109). Elevated LDH activity could indicate tissue breakdown in the SARS-Cov-2 infected patients. Hyper-coagulation and inflammation are imminent in the COVID19 patients. Adjuvant anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory therapies may be useful as part of therapeutic regimen in the SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.