Hematologic analysis of hospitalized patients and outpatients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and possible use as a prognostic biomarker.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a global health problem; this has caused thousands of deaths around the world. This infection induces hematologic alterations, and it is necessary to recognize predictive biomarkers to address the need for hospitalization or the severity of the disease. This study aimed to analyze different parameters in outpatients and hospitalized patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and determine whether hematic biometry can be used for prognosis rapidly. We analyzed 689 patients, of whom 355 were outpatients (162 women and 193 men) and 334 required hospitalization (197 men and 137 women). The average age of the hospitalized patients was 46 years (men, 49 years; women, 52 years), whereas the average age of the outpatients was 49 years (men, 51 years; women, 44 years). Hematologic parameters were analyzed and compared between the outpatients and hospitalized patients. The patients were divided into groups by age and sex. We found that in the hospitalized patients, the erythrocyte, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels decreased, whereas the outpatients did not experience changes in the erythroid series. In leukocytes, these increased significantly, as they did in neutrophils; however, lymphocytopenia was observed. In the outpatients, we observed normal levels of neutrophils and lymphopenia. We can conclude that hematic biometry can be used as a biomarker, and the relation between neutrophils and lymphocytes is indicated for understanding the development and prognosis of the disease.

Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm ) in leucocytes as post-COVID-19 sequelae.

The mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm ) is a parameter often used to determine mitochondrial function; therefore, it can be used to determine the integrity and functionality of cells. A decrement of ΔΨm is implicated in several inflammatory-related pathologies, such phenomena can be related to COVID-19 infection. The present work aimed to compare the ΔΨm in leucocytes (human PBMCs; HPBMC) isolated from healthy control (HC) subjects, patients with COVID-19 (C-19), recovered subjects at 40 ± 13 (R1) and 335 ± 20 (R2) days after infection (dai). Obtained data showed that ΔΨm decreased in HPBMC of subjects with C-19, R1, and R2 compared with HC. When analyzing the ΔΨm data by sex, in females, a significant decrease was observed in R1 and R2 groups versus HC. Regarding men, a significant decrease of ΔΨm was observed in R1, with respect to HC, contrary to R2 group, who reestablished this parameter. Obtained results suggest that the loss of ΔΨm could be related to the long-COVID.

Comparative Analysis of Age, Sex, and Viral Load in Outpatients during the Four Waves of SARS-CoV-2 in A Mexican Medium-Sized City.

Governments have implemented measures to minimize SARS-CoV-2 spread. However, these measures were relaxed, and the appearance of new variants has prompted periods of high contagion known as waves. In Mexico, four waves distributed between July and August 2020, January and February 2021, August and September 2021, and January and February 2022 have appeared. Current health policies discourage mass sampling, preferring to focus on the corrective treatment of severe cases. Outpatients are only advised to undergo brief voluntary confinement and symptomatic treatment, with no follow-up. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze sex, age, and viral load in outpatients during the four waves in a medium-sized city in Mexico. For each wave, the date of peak contagion was identified, and data were collected within ±15 days. In this regard, data from 916 patients (434 men and 482 women) were analyzed. The age range of positive patients (37-45 years) presented a higher frequency during the first and third waves, while 28-36 years was the most frequent age range during the second and fourth waves, while the viral load values were significantly higher, for both sexes, during the fourth wave. Obtained data of COVID-19 prevalence in population segments can be used for decision-making in the design of effective public health policies.

Effect of Fucoidan on the Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (ΔΨm) of Leukocytes from Patients with Active COVID-19 and Subjects That Recovered from SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Fucoidan is a polysaccharide obtained from marine brown algae, with anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and immune-enhancing properties, thus, fucoidan may be used as an alternative treatment (complementary to prescribed medical therapy) for COVID-19 recovery. This work aimed to determine the ex-vivo effects of treatment with fucoidan (20 µg/mL) on mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm, using a cationic cyanine dye, 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DiOC6(3)) on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (HPBMC) isolated from healthy control (HC) subjects, COVID-19 patients (C-19), and subjects that recently recovered from COVID-19 (R1, 40 ± 13 days after infection). In addition, ex-vivo treatment with fucoidan (20 and 50 µg/mL) was evaluated on ΔΨm loss induced by carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP, 150 µM) in HPBMC isolated from healthy subjects (H) and recovered subjects at 11 months post-COVID-19 (R2, 335 ± 20 days after infection). Data indicate that SARS-CoV-2 infection induces HPBMC loss of ΔΨm, even 11 months after infection, however, fucoidan promotes recovery of ΔΨm in PBMCs from COVID-19 recovered subjects. Therefore, fucoidan may be a potential treatment to diminish long-term sequelae from COVID-19, using mitochondria as a therapeutic target for the recovery of cellular homeostasis.

Correlation of hematological parameters and cycle threshold in ambulatory patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

INTRODUCTION: Former studies have shown that hematologic parameters are affected by the SARS-CoV-2 infection which has caused a global health problem. Therefore, this research aims to identify the most frequent symptoms and comorbidities in SARS-CoV-2 infected outpatients; besides, to analyze hematological parameters and their correlation with cycle threshold (Ct) values. METHODS: We analyzed a total of sixty outpatients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. They were divided according to sex. Afterward, a questionnaire was carried out to find out their symptoms and comorbidities. Additionally, blood biometry data were correlated with the Ct value, respectively. RESULTS: Sixty patients were analyzed; the mean age was 43 years. All patients were from Nayarit, Mexico. The frequency index showed that the main symptoms were headache and anosmia, and the comorbidities were obesity and smoking. The analysis of blood biometry showed a clear increase in red blood cells (RBC) related parameters in women. In both sexes an increase in the number of white blood cells (WBC) was observed. Also, all the hematological alterations correlated with the grade of infection. CONCLUSION: Headache and anosmia are the most common symptoms according to the frequency index, the main comorbidities were obesity and smoking. Also, there is a Ct value correlation with hematological parameters (WBC, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, hemoglobin); they can be used as a prognostic marker of infection.