Immunoglobulin signature predicts risk of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.

Authors :: Cervia C
Zurbuchen Y
Taeschler P
Ballouz T
Menges D
Hasler S
Adamo S
Raeber ME
Bächli E
Rudiger A
Stüssi-Helbling M
Huber LC
Nilsson J
Held U
Puhan MA
Boyman O
Source :: Nature communications [Nat Commun] 2022 Jan 25; Vol. 13 (1), pp. 446. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Jan 25.
Publication Year :: 2022
Abstract: Following acute infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) a significant proportion of individuals develop prolonged symptoms, a serious condition termed post-acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome (PACS) or long COVID. Predictors of PACS are needed. In a prospective multicentric cohort study of 215 individuals, we study COVID-19 patients during primary infection and up to one year later, compared to healthy subjects. We discover an immunoglobulin (Ig) signature, based on total IgM and IgG3 levels, which - combined with age, history of asthma bronchiale, and five symptoms during primary infection - is able to predict the risk of PACS independently of timepoint of blood sampling. We validate the score in an independent cohort of 395 individuals with COVID-19. Our results highlight the benefit of measuring Igs for the early identification of patients at high risk for PACS, which facilitates the study of targeted treatment and pathomechanisms of PACS.<br /> (© 2022. The Author(s).)