Prognostic Value of Serum Amyloid a Protein As a Biomarker in the Diagnosis of 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) Publisher Pubmed

Summary: COVID biomarker breakthrough? Study (n=123) finds SAA sensitive (93-99%) for early detection, predicts outcomes. Research suggests SAA aids prognosis over PCR/CT. Game-changer for triage? #COVID19 #Biomarkers

Amini R¹ ; Mosadegh M² ; Ansari N³ ; Banaye Golrizi M⁴ ; Bashirian S⁵ ; Erfani Y⁶ ; Khazaei S⁷ ; Azizi Jalilian F^{1, 3}
Source: Microbial Pathogenesis Published:2024

Abstract

Background: The current study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of serum amyloid A protein)SAA(protein as a biomarker in diagnosing 2019 novel coronavirus disease)COVID-19(infection. Methods: The study was conducted on 123 patients with definitive COVID-19 infection referred to Shahid Beheshti and Sina hospitals in Hamedan province, Iran. Five-milliliter blood samples were taken from all included patients and serum was isolated using a centrifuge at 10,000 rpm for 10 min. Laboratory tests were conducted, including c-reactive protein (CRP), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), potassium level, sodium blood test, platelets (PLT), complete blood count (CBC), lymphocyte count, and neutrophil count. The SAA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Kit was applied to measure the SAA level in serum samples. Results: 123 patients included 73 males and 50 females, age ±50. Sixty-six (53.7 %) patients had negative CRP while 80 (65 %) patients had normal ESR. Potassium levels were not normal among 111 (94.9 %) patients. Seventy-seven (63.1 %) patients had normal CBC, while 108 (87.8 %) patients had neutrophils above the normal range. 94 (97.9 %) patients over the age of 50 were positive for SAA. In terms of gender, men were the most frequent patients with SAA. There was a statistically significant relationship between the serum level of SAA and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 (p = 0.0001). 94 % of patients with SAA ≤50 were recovered from COVID-19 infection. The sensitivity rate of SAA compared to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and computed tomography scan (CT scan) tests was 93 % and 99 %, respectively. Moreover, the accuracy of SAA compared to PCR and CT scan tests was 52 % and 96 %, respectively. Conclusion: Results indicate the SAA is a sensitive, but not specific biomarker in the early detection of COVID-19. The quantitative levels of SAA can be useful in predicting treatment outcomes among patients with COVID-19. © 2024