ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: CD62P is a surface marker for platelet activation. Platelet dysfunction contributes to disproportionate intravascular microthrombosis in SARS-CoV-2. We aimed to assess the clinical significance of CD62P as a biomarker of platelet activation and its correlation to the clinical severity and outcome of COVID-19 infections. METHODS: The study included 80 COVID-19 patients and, in addition, there were 20 age and gender-matched healthy controls. Laboratory measurements included CBC, serum ferritin, LDH, CRP, D-dimer and flow cytometric assessments of the platelet markers CD42b and CD62P. The primary study outcome was patients' survival at the end of study. RESULTS: Among the studied patients, 24 patients (30.0%) died by the end of the study. Survivors had significantly lower CD62P values when compared with non-survivors [median (IQR): 75.5 (73.0 - 91.0) versus 96.0 (93.5 - 97.8), p < 0.001]. Patients with severe disease had significantly higher levels of CD62P levels [median (IQR): 95.5 (92.0 - 97.8) versus 75.0 (72.0 - 76.8), p < 0.001]. Logistic regression analysis identified D-dimer levels [OR (95% CI): 0.14 (0.03 - 0.74) and CD62P levels: OR (95% CI): 0.4 (0.17 - 0.94)] as significant predictors of mortality in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: CD62P expression on admission may be a useful prognostic maker in hospitalized Covid-19 patients. Its expression is related to other markers of inflammation and coagulopathy.