Objectives: The immunologic profile and opportunistic viral DNA increase were monitored in Italian patients with COVID-19 in order to identify markers of disease severity. Methods: A total of 104 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 were evaluated in the study. Of them, 42/104 (40.4%) were hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU) and 62/104(59.6%) in a sub-intensive care unit (SICU). Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Parvovirus B19 and Human Herpesvirus 6 virus reactivations were determined by real-time PCR, and lymphocyte subpopulation counts were determined by flow cytometry. Results: Among opportunistic viruses, only EBV was consistently detected. EBV DNA was observed in 40/42 (95.2%) of the ICU patients and in 51/61 (83.6%) of the SICU patients. Comparing the two groups of patients, the EBV DNA median level among ICU patients was significantly higher than that observed in SICU patients. In parallel, a significant reduction of CD8 T cell and NK count in ICU patients as compared with SICU patients was observed (p < 0.05). In contrast, B cell count was significantly increased in ICU patients (p = 0.0172). Conclusions: A correlation between reduced CD8+ T cells and NK counts, EBV DNA levels and COVID-19 severity was observed. Other opportunistic viral infections were not observed. The relationship between EBV load and COVID-19 severity should be further evaluated in longitudinal studies.
EBV DNA increase in COVID-19 patients with impaired lymphocyte subpopulation count
Cassaniti I.;Novazzi F.;Fiorina L.;Piralla A.;Comolli G.;Maserati R.;Novati S.;Mojoli F.;Baldanti F.;Bruno R.;Brunetti E.;Di Matteo A.;Seminari E.;Maiocchi L.;Pagnucco L.;Mariani B.;Ludovisi S.;Lissandrin R.;Zanaboni D.;Novati S.;Maserati R.;Orsolini P.;Vecchia M.;Asperges E.;Colaneri M.;Di Filippo A.;Sambo M.;Biscarini S.;Roda S.;Pieri T. C.;Gallazzi I.;Sachs M.;Alfano C.;Bonzano M.;Briganti F.;Crescenzi G.;Falchi A. G.;Guglielmana B.;Martino I.;Pettenazza P.;Quaglia F.;Sabena A.;Salinaro F.;Speciale F.;Zunino I.;Cappa G.;Maisak I.;Chiodi B.;Sciarrini M.;Vezzoni G.;Scattaglia L.;Boscolo E.;Zattera C.;Tassi M. F.;Capozza V.;Vignaroli D.;Bazzini M.;Iotti G.;Mojoli F.;Belliato M.;Perotti L.;Mongodi S.;Tavazzi G.;Marseglia G.;Licari A.;Brambilla I.;Campanini G.;Cavanna C.;Comolli G.;Parea M.;Piralla A.;Rovida F.;Brunco V.;Casali G.;Capella L.;Garbagnoli G.;Maliardi V.;Bonetti A.;Cassaniti I.;Corcione A.;Di Martino R.;Fiorina L.;Gallone A.;Giardina F.;Mercato A.;Merla C.;Novazzi F.;Ratano G.;Sciabica I. M.;Tallarita M.;Vecchio Nepita E.;Oliviero B.;Nicora C.;Petronella V.;Marena C.;Muzzi A.;Lago P.;Cutti S.;Novelli V.;Comandatore F.;Gaiarsa S.;Bruno, Raffele
2021-01-01
Abstract
Objectives: The immunologic profile and opportunistic viral DNA increase were monitored in Italian patients with COVID-19 in order to identify markers of disease severity. Methods: A total of 104 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 were evaluated in the study. Of them, 42/104 (40.4%) were hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU) and 62/104(59.6%) in a sub-intensive care unit (SICU). Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Parvovirus B19 and Human Herpesvirus 6 virus reactivations were determined by real-time PCR, and lymphocyte subpopulation counts were determined by flow cytometry. Results: Among opportunistic viruses, only EBV was consistently detected. EBV DNA was observed in 40/42 (95.2%) of the ICU patients and in 51/61 (83.6%) of the SICU patients. Comparing the two groups of patients, the EBV DNA median level among ICU patients was significantly higher than that observed in SICU patients. In parallel, a significant reduction of CD8 T cell and NK count in ICU patients as compared with SICU patients was observed (p < 0.05). In contrast, B cell count was significantly increased in ICU patients (p = 0.0172). Conclusions: A correlation between reduced CD8+ T cells and NK counts, EBV DNA levels and COVID-19 severity was observed. Other opportunistic viral infections were not observed. The relationship between EBV load and COVID-19 severity should be further evaluated in longitudinal studies.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
