Characterization model of the post COVID-19 condition based on immunological, biochemical, and cytokine markers

Bárbara Oliván-Blázquez; Marta Bona-Otal; Fátima Méndez-López; David Lerma-Irureta; Paula García-Izuel; Jesús Ibáñez-Ruiz; Alberto Montolío; María Ruiz-Herreros; Javier Godino; Beatriz Jimeno-Beltran; María Del Mar Encabo-Berzosa; Izaskun Arenaz; Ana Medel-Martínez; Verónica Casado-Vicente; Mayte Coiras; Carlos Tellería-Orriols; Jon Schoorlemmer; Rosa Magallón-Botaya

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2024.110839

Characterization model of the post COVID-19 condition based on immunological, biochemical, and cytokine markers

iScience. 2024 Aug 30;27(9):110839. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110839. eCollection 2024 Sep 20.

Authors

Bárbara Oliván-Blázquez^{1

2

3}, Marta Bona-Otal⁴, Fátima Méndez-López^{2

3}, David Lerma-Irureta², Paula García-Izuel⁵, Jesús Ibáñez-Ruiz⁶, Alberto Montolío⁶, María Ruiz-Herreros⁷, Javier Godino⁸, Beatriz Jimeno-Beltran⁸, María Del Mar Encabo-Berzosa⁹, Izaskun Arenaz⁹, Ana Medel-Martínez¹⁰, Verónica Casado-Vicente¹¹, Mayte Coiras¹², Carlos Tellería-Orriols⁶, Jon Schoorlemmer¹³, Rosa Magallón-Botaya^{2

3

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
² Aragonese Primary Care Research Group (GAIAP), Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain.
³ Research Network on Chronicity, Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain.
⁴ Navarre Health Service, Pamplona, Spain.
⁵ Department of Medicine, Psychiatry and Dermatology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
⁶ Biocomputing Unit, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain.
⁷ Tarazona Primary Health Care Center, Aragonese Healthcare Service (SALUD), Zaragoza, Spain.
⁸ Cell Separation and Flow Cytometry Core, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain.
⁹ Biobank of the Aragon Health System, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain.
¹⁰ Placental Pathophysiology & Fetal Programming Research Group, Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain.
¹¹ Parquesol University Health Center, Castilla y León Health Service (SACYL), University Teaching Unit of Family and Community Medicine, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
¹² Immunopathology and Viral Reservoir Unit, National Center of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
¹³ Endogenous Retroviruses (ERVs) in Development and Disease Group, Instituto Aragonés deCiencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain; and ARAID Foundation, Zaragoza, Spain.

Abstract

Post-coronavirus disease condition (PCC) continues to affect many people globally, yet there remains a lack of diagnostic biomarkers to distinguish PCC from those recovered from acute COVID-19. This study compared biomarkers between two age- and gender-matched groups: PCC individuals and those recovered within three months of acute COVID-19 in 2020 (n = 85 each). Biomarkers were assessed 12-24 months after initial diagnosis, examining biochemical profiles, blood cell counts, coagulation status, antibody serology, lymphocyte populations, and cytokine levels. PCC individuals exhibited significant alterations in 49 of 167 markers, including K+ levels, αGAD antibodies, antithrombin III, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP3), and interleukin-10 (IL-10). A panel of αGAD, IL-10, potassium levels, and CD16^brightCD56^- cell presence distinguished PCC individuals from recovered patients with >88% accuracy and <92% precision.

Keywords: Biochemistry; Immunology; Virology.