Blood molecule can predict severe COVID-19, study finds
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A simple blood sample may help doctors identify who is at greater risk of COVID-19.
The finding is from a study by German researchers published in the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles.
Scientists assessed blood samples from 54 patients using a COVID-19 registry between April 2020 and February. All patients had various degrees of infection.
Researchers found a molecule responsible for transporting viruses into the cell was higher in blood samples of people with severe cases. The molecule, phophatidylserine, is also a sign of inflammation.
“As a marker, (it) outperformed established lab markers for inflammatory processes in the body … that are currently used for the clinical evaluation of COVID-19,” said the lead study author, Dr. Thomas Brocker, in a news release.
Brocker goes on to say the findings could lead to better COVID-19 diagnoses.