Immunometabolic Profile of Nigerian COVID-19 Patients

Abstract

Objective: Existence of crosstalk between metabolic and immune response against severe, acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) indicates that its full understanding could facilitate therapeutic insights for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) management. Therefore, selected immunometabolic indices were determined in COVID-19 patients at a Nigerian Isolation Centre. Material and Methods: Haematological parameters (Total White Blood Cell [TWBC] and Differential White Blood Cell Counts), inflammation indices (C-Reactive Protein [CRP], Albumin, Pre-albumin and Neutrophil/Lymphocyte ratio [NLR]), anti-SARS-CoV-2 specific immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG, respiratory burst factors, lipid profile as well as renal and liver functions were determined in COVID-19 patients and controls. Results: Seventy percent of the COVID-19 patients were less than 40 years of age and largely had mild COVID-19. The mean TWBC, neutrophil, NLR and CRP levels were significantly higher, while the lymphocyte count was significantly lower in COVID-19 patients compared with the controls. Also, the mean plasma levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG and IgM in addition to superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were significantly higher, while the mean plasma levels of nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide and myeloperoxidase activity were significantly lower in COVID-19 patients compared with the controls. High proportions of COVID-19 patients had values of the liver (59%-96%) and renal (43%-97%) function test parameters within the normal reference intervals. Similarly, high proportions of COVID-19 patients had values of lipid profile (71%-86%) within the normal reference intervals. Conclusion: The infrequent alteration in lipid metabolism as well as liver and renal functions suggest mild COVID-19. However, hyper-inflammation remains a significant observation in COVID-19 patients, irrespective of the form of the disease.