Combining predictive markers for severe COVID-19: Torquetenovirus DNA load and SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2022.105120
• Publication Date: 2022-02-22T09:07:25Z
• Authors: Morgane Solis; Floriane Gallais; Sabrina Garnier-K...; Nicolas Lefebvre; Ilies Benotmane; Pierre-Olivier Ludes; Vincent Castelain; Ferhat Meziani; Sophie Caillard; Olivier Collange; Samira Fafi-Kremer
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; COVID-19 Testing; 0302 clinical medicine; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Humans; RNA, Viral; DNA; Antibodies, Viral; Article; 3. Good health

SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of worldwide COVID-19, which severity has been linked to the immune and inflammatory response. Here, we investigate Torquetenovirus (TTV) DNA load - a marker reflecting the intensity of the overall immune response - as well as SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia and IgM/IgG antibodies in COVID-19-positive patients.Two hundred and fifteen COVID-19-positive patients were enrolled, including 87 severe cases and 128 mild-moderate cases. SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia and IgM/IgG antibodies, as well as TTV DNA loads, were measured on longitudinal plasma samples.The rate of severe cases was higher in patients with low TTV DNA load in plasma considering a threshold of 700 copies/mL. In severe patients, SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia positivity rates were higher than those in mild-moderate cases at any timepoint. When combined, TTV DNA load and SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia allowed to predict the outcome of COVID-19 infection, with a higher risk (HR=12.4) of ICU admission in patients with low TTV DNA load and positive SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia.TTV DNA load and SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia may be effective, non-invasive markers reflecting disease severity and poor outcome that could be conveniently measured in a clinical laboratory setting, as soon as COVID-19 diagnosis is made.