Serum beta2-microglobulin and peripheral blood eosinophils for the assessment of severity and prognosis with omicron variant COVID-19 infection
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: The Omicron variant's high transmissibility has made it the most widespread novel coronavirus variant. Elevated serum β2-MG levels from viral infections and EOS' role in viral clearance have garnered attention. However, their predictive value for Omicron's severity and prognosis needs further exploration. Methods: This retrospective study included 424 patients with confirmed COVID-19 Omicron variant admitted to the Second Hospital of Jilin University in Changchun, China, of whom 128 experienced in-hospital mortality. Patients were divided into high and low groups according to β2-MG and EOS levels; the relationship between disease severity and patient prognosis was analyzed. Results: Our findings showed that severe-to-critical Omicron patients had higher β2-MG levels than mild-normal patients. Conversely, EOS levels were higher in mild-moderate cases. Both β2-MG and EOS levels normalized when Omicron patients tested negative for nucleic acid. Deceased Omicron patients had significantly lower pre-mortem EOS levels. Elevated β2-MG and lower EOS levels correlated with reduced overall survival. Multivariate COX regression analysis indicated that elevated β2-MG was an independent adverse prognostic factor for Omicron patients. Conclusion: High serum β2-MG levels and low eosinophil levels upon admission correlate with omicron variant severity and prognosis. β2-MG is an independent risk factor for poor outcomes in omicron patients.
Authors: Jie Tan, Hanxi Fang, Xiao Hu, Ming Yue, Junling Yang
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,295
OpenAlex ID: W4404554085