Study Shows COVID-19 Infection Correlates with Autoimmune Markers

A new study demonstrates how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection could be associated with an autoimmune response and development of autoantibodies.

In the study, the researchers elucidated whether SARS-CoV-2 stimulates autoantibody production and contributes to autoimmunity activation. Forty adult patients (66.8 years mean age) were enrolled and admitted to Alessandria Hospital between March 2020 and April 2020. All patients had a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and no previous clinical record of autoimmune disease. Forty blood donors were analyzed for the same markers and considered as healthy controls. The patients had high levels of common inflammatory markers such as C reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, ferritin and creatinine. Interleukin-6 concentrations were also increased, supporting the major role of this interleukin during COVID- 19 infection. Lymphocyte numbers were generally lower compared with healthy individuals. All patients were also screened for the most common autoantibodies.

Results showed a significant prevalence of antinuclear antibodies, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and ASCA immunoglobulin A antibodies. Patients having a de novo autoimmune response had the worst acute viral disease prognosis and outcome. According to the researchers, the results sustain the hypothesis that COVID-19 infection correlates with the autoimmunity markers. However, they concluded other investigations are necessary to define the possible link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and autoimmune disease onset.