Severity of COVID-19 at elevated exposure to perfluorinated alkylates

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244815
• Publication Date: 2020-12-31T18:49:11Z
• Authors: Philippe Grandjean; Clara Amalie Gade...; Marie Kruse; Flemming Nielsen; Pernille Just Vin...; Lasse Boding; Carsten Heilmann; Kåre Mølbak
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Betacoronavirus; Coronavirus Infections; Sars virus

Background The course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) seems to be aggravated by air pollution, and some industrial chemicals, such as the perfluorinated alkylate substances (PFASs), are immunotoxic may contribute an association with severity. Methods From Danish biobanks, we obtained plasma samples from 323 subjects aged 30–70 years known SARS-CoV-2 infection. PFAS concentrations measured at background exposures included five PFASs immunotoxic. Register data was classify status, other health information, demographic variables. We used ordered logistic regression analyses determine associations between outcome. Results Plasma-PFAS were higher in males, Western European background, tended increase age, but not associated presence chronic disease. Of study population, 108 (33%) had been hospitalized, those 53 (16%) intensive care or deceased. Among considered, perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) showed unadjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.19 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.39–3.46) for increasing severities fully adjusted OR getting into expiring 5.18 (1.29, 20.72) when based on time diagnosis up one week before. Conclusions Measures individual short-chain PFBA accumulate lungs. Elevated plasma-PFBA increased risk a more severe COVID-19. Given low exposure levels this study, role COVID-19 needs ascertained populations elevated exposures.