A novel ratio of CD8+:B-cells as a prognostic marker of coronavirus disease 2019 patient progression and outcome.

ABSTRACT

Infection with SARS-COV-2 may result in severe pneumonia potentially leading to mechanical ventilation and intensive care treatment. The aim of the present study was to analyze the immune responses in critically ill coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) patients requiring mechanical ventilation and assess their potential use as markers of clinical progression and outcome. Confirmed COVID-19 patients were grouped into those requiring mechanical ventilation (intubated) and non-intubated. Immune phenotyping was performed and cytokine levels were determined. A novel ratio of CD8+B cells was significantly lower in intubated versus non-intubated (p = 0.015) and intubated non-survivors (NSV) versus survivors (SV) (p = 0.015). The same ratio correlated with outcome, CRP, IL-6 levels and neutrophil count. Receiving operating curve (ROC) analysis for prediction of requirement of mechanical ventilation by the CD8+B cells ratio revealed an AUC of 0.747 and a p = 0.007. The ratio of CD8+B cells may serve as a useful prognostic marker for disease severity and outcome.