Impact of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 Activity on Clinical Manifestations of COVID-19 in Pointe-Noire, Congo
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 exhibits marked clinical heterogeneity, ranging from asymptomatic cases to severe complications. Viral entry depends on ACE2 and TMPRSS2 proteins, whose activity may influence disease progression.Objective: To evaluate the association between ACE2 and TMPRSS2 activity and the severity of COVID-19 clinical manifestations.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study included 170 RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 patients. Demographic (age, sex) and clinical (symptom) data were extracted from medical records. ACE2 and TMPRSS2 protein activity was measured using immunoenzymatic assays from blood samples. Patients were stratified into moderate and severe forms according to standardized clinical criteria.Results: The average age was 31.7 ± 4.4 years (range 24–68), with a male predominance (78%). Predominant symptoms in severe forms included fever (54.6%), cough (55.6%), and ageusia (56%). A significant correlation was found between ACE2 activity and severe disease forms (p < 0.001). TMPRSS2 activity was also associated with severity, though less prominently (p = 0.029).Conclusion: These findings suggest that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 activity may serve as predictive biomarkers of COVID-19 severity. Quantifying these markers could enable early patient stratification and optimized therapeutic strategies. Prospective studies are needed to validate their clinical utility.
Authors: Magloire Anicet Boumba, Donatien Moukassa, Colombe Sagesse Luzayisu, Aladin Atandi Batchy, Freddy Saturnin Pouki, Charley Elenga Bongo, Parode Ragive Takale, Landry Martial Miguel, Rebecca Frédérique Dussaud, Ange Antoine Abena
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4410104238