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A review of the possible prognostic values of biochemical changes in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections

*1Adegboro, B., 2Babazhitsu, M., and 3Mba, N. I.

Departments of 1Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and 3Chemical Pathology, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja 2Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: boazadegboro@gmail.com; boaz.adegboro@nileuniversity.edu.ng

Abstract:
Because of high mortality and long-term hospital stay among patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections, it is important to search for biochemical changes in different organs and systems that could be useful in diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19. We conducted a literature search of online databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Google scholar for relevant materials on biochemical changes in SARS-COV-2 infections published between December 2019 and March 2021. The review shows that SARS-COV-2 uses the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for attachment and entry into host cells. These ACE2 are abundantly expressed by the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract and moderately expressed by the epithelial cells of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, ileum, rectum, cholangiocytes, liver hepatocytes, pancreatic beta cells, and kidney tubular cells. This explains the systemic nature of SARS-COV-2 infection, and the high morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19. Although, tests to assess biochemical changes are not specific enough for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, they may be useful for predicting outcome of COVID-19. This review highlights biochemical parameters that are significantly elevated or reduced in SARS-COV-2 infections, and which can be used as predictive factors of the severity and prognosis in COVID-19 patients. Continue reading “A review of the possible prognostic values of biochemical changes in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections”

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Prognostic implication of hypocalcaemia in COVID-19: a systematic review

1Azeez, T. A.,2Lakoh, S., 3Bamidele, O. T., 4Ekhaiyeme, E., and 5Nwosu, S. A.

1Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria                           

2Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, Freetown, Sierra Leone

3Department of Chemical Pathology, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan Remo, Nigeria                 

4Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

5College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: adegokegalaxy@yahoo.com; +2347035728747

 

 

 

Abstract:

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has been declared as a pandemic affecting several millions of people worldwide. It has varied clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic to critical illness. It has led to the mortality of several affected individuals. However, the prognosis seems to vary from one person to the other and efforts are being made to identify the prognostic factors. Hypocalcaemia has been identified as a poor prognostic factor with a high frequency among individuals affected with COVID-19. This review aims to estimate the prevalence of hypocalcaemia among COVID-19 patients and identify the poor prognostic factors associated with the presence of hypocalcaemia in COVID-19 patients. Electronic medical databases were searched for publications on the prognostic implications of hypocalcaemia in COVID-19 infection, and relevant articles were selected for systematic review following PRISMA algorithm. The prevalence of hypocalcaemia among patients with COVID-19 was 40.0-74.4%. There was a significant association between the rate of hospital admission, intensive care unit (ICU) admission as well as septic shock and hypocalcaemia in patients with COVID-19. Hypocalcaemia is also associated with a higher mortality rate in these patients. COVID-19 patients with hypocalcaemia tend to have elevated C-reactive protein, interleukin6, alanine transaminase, procalcitonin, serum creatinine and low albumin. Hypocalcaemia is common in COVID-19 patients and is a poor prognostic factor in these patients. Presence of hypocalcaemia is associated with a severe illness and even death. Continue reading “Prognostic implication of hypocalcaemia in COVID-19: a systematic review”