The most important biomarker associated with coagulation and inflammation among COVID-19 patients

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induced by SARS-Cov-2 can be related to coagulopathy. Also, the infection-induced inflammatory changes are found in patients with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC). The lack of previous immunity to COVID-19 has caused infection of a large number of patients worldwide and unpredictability regarding the management of the complications that appear in the course of this viral illness. Lungs are the most important target organ of the SARS-COV-2. In COVID-19 patients, acute lung injury leads to respiratory failure. However, multiorgan failure can also occur in these patients. The primary coagulopathy of COVID-19 is marked by a considerable elevation of D-dimer, ferritin, and fibrinogen degradation products. In comparison, abnormalities in platelet count, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin time are partly uncommon in initial presentations. Inflammatory biomarkers including CRP, LDH, and IL-6 are significantly elevated in the early stages of the disease. In this regard, inflammation-associated biomarkers and coagulation test screening, including the assessment of IL-6, CRP, LDH, D-dimer, platelet count, PT&PTT time, ferritin, and fibrinogen levels are suggested for detecting infection by this virus. Overall, COVID-19-associated coagulopathy should be managed like other patients with critical conditions, and supportive care and thromboembolic prophylaxis should be used for severe patients.

Introduction

In the 21st century, coronaviruses have been recognized as one of the most important human pathogenic viruses that affect the World Health System and cause concern in the world [1]. Coronaviruses, which belong to the Nidovirales order, are classified into four genera: alpha, beta, delta, and gamma [2]. The important human pathogenic viruses belonging to the beta genus include Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-Cov-2) [3]. Coronaviruses are associated with a wide range of mild to severe diseases in humans [4]. The first highly pathogenic coronavirus in humans was SARS, which was endemic in China in 2002–2003 and quickly spread to other continents. SARS caused disease in 8,098 people and 774 deaths (about 10% mortality) [5]. In 2012, MERS caused respiratory disease in the Middle East. This virus, which its reservoir was camels, led to a total of 2458 MERS infected cases and 848 death (about 35% mortality) [6].

In late 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic began in China, which quickly spread to all countries in the world. The causative agent of COVID-19 was the SARS Cov-2, a member of the beta-corona virus. The disease quickly became pandemic due to respiratory transmission [7]. One of the main causes of high mortality in the early months of the disease was the unknown pathogenesis of the disease. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 disease is complex. Due to the widespread tissue spread of the virus receptor, an infection can potentially occur in various tissues of the body [8]. Viral and cellular factors (immune system) are involved in the pathogenesis of the COVID-19 disease. Infection followed by cytokine storm leads to more severe inflammation and tissue damage [9].

The COVID-19 disease can have a wide range of symptoms from mild to severe. The most frequently mentioned demographic factors were associated with death in patients with severe COVID-19 are the male gender, higher age, and people with underlying diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and chronic respiratory diseases [10–12]. Mortality rates vary from 3 to 15% in different studies [13, 14]. People in the ICU had more severe illnesses and higher mortality rates [15]. In patients with COVID-19, coagulation disorders and multiple agglutinations occur in different vessels [16]. COVID-19 patients are asymptomatic in 80%, have clinical symptoms in 15–20%, and have very severe disease in a small percentage [17]. In the early months of diagnosis, biomarkers associated with disease severity and mortality are unknown and mortality is higher. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for this disease such that the patients are mainly given supportive therapies. Therefore, finding appropriate biomarkers that can show tissue damage is of great importance. In this process, the choice of appropriate medication will be based on the patient’s condition. Coagulation disorder is one of the leading causes of death in patients with COVID-19 [16, 18]. It seems that the study of important coagulation factors can be useful in planning the timely implementation of treatment protocols [16, 19]. This study aimed to introduce important biomarkers related to coagulation in patients with COVID-19.

Innate immune response and coagulation

The coagulation system is a host defense response against bleeding, injury, and the invasion of infectious agents such as viruses [20]. Activation of the coagulation system following a viral invasion may be a defensive response of the immune system against the causative agent and can eliminate the etiological agent by causing a clot [21]. Coagulation and innate immunity use common pathways to counteract the damage and invasion of viruses, such as factors involved in the onset of coagulation and proinflammation. High levels of interleukin-6, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and fibrinogen, which are associated with inflammation, have been observed in COVID-19 patients [19, 21–23]. This inflammation, following activation of coagulation, is a possible cause of elevated D-dimer levels following an infectious agent. Elevated D-dimer levels are associated with increased DIC formation and eventually increased mortality among COVID-19 patients [24]. Although the exact mechanism of coagulation due to SARS-Cov-2 infection has not yet been determined, the virus appears to interfere with inflammation, coagulation, and hemostasis. Chen showed that among COVID-19 patients, infection-related biomarkers including IL-6, procalcitonin, ESR, serum ferritin, and CRP were elevated by 6%, 52%, 85%, 63%, and 86%, respectively [25].

Among immune factors, chemokines and cytokines associated with inflammation are most important. Some studies have shown the increased expression of interleukins 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, and 17, TNF-a, Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (MCSF), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) among COVID-19 patients [26–29] and a significant decrease in the number of monocytes, lymphocytes, and especially T cell in ICU patients. In a study on 99 cases in Wuhan, elevated total neutrophils, IL-6, and CRP and lymphopenia were observed in 38%, 52%, and 84%, and 35% of COVID-19 patients, respectively [25]. Generally, the Th1 and cytotoxic T cells are the major immune responses against viral infections. After the presenting of antigen by antigen-presenting cells (APCs), T cell response kills the virus-infected cells. Furthermore, humoral immune response, especially neutralizing antibodies, would have the protecting role and prevention of reinfection in the future. However, the precise role of acquired immunity in COVID-19 patients is unknown. The proliferation of the virus in the cell triggers the activation of neutrophils and inflammatory macrophages. Following a virus invasion to and spread in the respiratory mucus and the other cells, the immune responses provoke and produce a cytokine storm that may result in critical conditions for COVID-19 patients [26]. Virus infection intensified various proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-a, IL-1b, and IL-6, which elevated the expression of tissue factor and von Willebrand factor from endothelial cells and monocytes that promote platelet aggregation and initiate the clotting cascade [30]. Besides, proinflammatory cytokines can also suppress the synthesis of anticoagulants and fibrinolysis by downregulation thrombomodulin and endothelial protein C receptor and upregulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 [16, 31].

Coagulation factors among COVID-19 patients

Coagulation is a natural process that occurs to maintain hemostasis. The most important factors involved in coagulation are platelets, endothelial cells, and coagulation factors [32]. Coagulation is activated following a severe infection. So, consuming coagulation factors [30] increases the disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) [33], which can lead to increased mortality (Fig. 1). Various studies have reported abnormal intravascular coagulation in the clinical findings and laboratory results of COVID-19 patients. Chen studying among 99 COVID-19 patients showed that the coagulation function markers including aPTT, prothrombin (PT), and D-dimer were elevated by 6%, 5%, and 36%, respectively [25]. The combination of high D-dimer, thrombocytopenia, and prolonged coagulation tests imitate the pattern seen in DIC [34]. Pathologic findings confirm that a high level of D-dimer, PT, and thrombocytopenia in severe cases of COVID-19 lead to coagulation and were associated with multi-organ venous thromboembolism (VTE) and death [35, 36]. Among elderly patients, those with serious underlying diseases such as heart disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer are susceptible to SARS-COV-2 infection and often develop the severe disease [37]. The dysfunction of the coagulation system is one of the most important risk factors for severe disease and death.

Fig. 1.

In COVID-19 patients, activation of coagulation-related factors and the immune system leads to blood clots in the vessels. Activation of coagulation in the pulmonary artery causes pulmonary embolism. These factors cause changes in coagulation-related biomarkers (D-dimer, CRP, PT and PTT, IL-6, fibrinogen, platelet count, LDH, neutrophil and lymphocyte). C-reactive protein (CRP), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), prothrombin time (PT), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)

DIC and SIC associated with COVID-19

Microorganisms and their components lead to the expression of tissue factors, which ultimately stimulate the immune system, release proinflammatory cytokines, and lead to activation of coagulation and inflammation [38–40]. In severe patients, infectious agents activate systemic coagulation and the inflammatory response, which probably leads to DIC. However, it seems that the DIC among COVID-19 patients has distinct differences with DIC commonly seen in patients with cancer, sepsis, or other underlying diseases accompanied by DIC [16]. Previous studies have reported severe thrombocytopenia, a much lower level of coagulation factors (especially II, V, VII, and X), and severe decline in plasma concentration of anticoagulants including protein-C and anti-thrombin in most patients with DIC [41]. One of the main pathological hallmarks of DIC is the increased thrombin production due to the expression of tissue factors from mononuclear cells and endothelial cells, which are induced by inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 [42]. Although increased expression of IL-6 and other proinflammatory cytokines have been observed in severe COVID-19 patients, overproduction of thrombin has not been definitively proven [16, 43]. In this regard, investigating the factors involved in thrombin production, thrombin activation, and anti-thrombin can be a helpful strategy for the treatment of these patients. Klok et al. showed that among 184 COVID-19 patients, the incidence of thrombosis was 31% [44]. Studying 449 COVID-19 patients, Tang showed that anticoagulant therapy in severe COVID-19 patients is associated with a mortality decrease [45]. Overall, it seems that thrombosis occurs with a high incidence in COVID-19 patients, and the mortality rate declines using the anticoagulant treatment. According to the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH), an earlier phase of sepsis-associated DIC, called “sepsis-induced coagulopathy” (SIC), and anticoagulants are beneficial in patients diagnosed with SIC criteria [46–48]. Thus, SIC seems to occur in early phases among COVID-19 patients and the diagnosis and treatment-based SIC patterns can be useful in these patients.

The important biomarker among COVID-19 patients

C-reactive protein (CRP)

CRP is a plasma protein induced by various inflammatory mediators such as IL-6 and produced by the liver [49]. Despite being nonspecific, this acute phase protein is used clinically as a biomarker for various inflammatory states. In this process, the increased level of CRP is associated with disease severity. CRP is a plasma protein induced by various inflammatory mediators such as IL-6 and produced by the liver. Despite being nonspecific, this acute phase protein is used clinically as a biomarker for various inflammatory states. Here, an increased level of CRP is associated with the disease severity [50]. A retrospective study by Chen showed that CRP levels in COVID-19 patients who died were much higher than in patients who survived [25]. Another study by Wang showed that the increase in CRP is strongly associated with COVID-19 severity and critical condition [51]. A third retrospective cohort study by Fang Liu indicated that the CRP was elevated in 65% of COVID-19 patients on admission and elevated in 93.9% of severe COVID-19 patients [52]. All three studies suggest that CRP levels are strong biological indicators to represent the severity of the COVID-19 infection. CRP seems to be one of the first biomarkers to show physiological complications in COVID-19 patients. In addition to CRP, amyloid A is an acute phase protein that is increased in viral and bacterial infections. Although CRP and amyloid A are used together to screen for inflammatory disease, the use of amyloid A as a biomarker in COVID-19 patients should be further investigated [53].

Interleukin 6 (IL-6)

Studies have shown that the cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients is associated with disease severity and complications such as ARDS [54]. Interleukin-6 has been reported as the most common cytokine secreted by active macrophages. Ali’s meta-analysis study showed that in severe patients, the concentration of interleukin-6 increases by about 2.9 fold [55]. Separate studies by Liu, Qin, Ruan, and Chen showed the IL-6 level was strongly elevated in severe COVID-19 patients compared with non-severe ones [56–59].

White cell count (WCC)

White blood cells (WBCs), also known as leucocytes, are a component of blood immune cells derived from multipotent cells in the bone marrow and lymphoid tissue. These cells are divided into five major types: basophils, eosinophils, neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes. Under infectious disease conditions, an increase in observed the number of WBCs, which are important biomarkers in suspecting various types of infections [60]. However, the biomarker role of WBCs in COVID-19 patients has not been confirmed. In a retrospective study, leukocytosis was found among COVID-19 patients frequently, especially among the severe cases [57]. The study by Li and Tan showed that the level of total leukocytes increased in severe patients with COVID-19 while the level of lymphocytes decreased [61, 62]. A meta-analysis study showed that 62.5% of COVID-19 patients have lymphopenia [63]. Moreover, some other studies reported that lymphopenia is more common in patients with COVID-19. Elsewhere, it was reported that low lymphocyte counts in severely ill patients may indicate a poor prognosis [64].

D-dimer

D-dimer and other Fibrin degradation products (FDPs) are the products of fibrin degradation that appears after blood clot destruction due to fibrinolysis in the blood. Blood d-dimer concentrations can help the diagnosis of thrombosis [65]. In this regard, Tang showed that d-dimer levels were higher in non-survive COVID-19 patients compared to survived ones [66]. A retrospective study by Zhang showed D-dimer on admission upper than 2.0 µg/mL can predict mortality in hospitals among COVID-19 patients. According to this study, the d-dimer level can be a basic and helpful biomarker to identify the patients with poor prognosis in the early stages and help to the management of COVID-19 patients [67]. Various studies have reported the occurrence of the d-dimer and FDP elevation among COVID-19 patients. Ning showed a higher level of d-dimer among COVID-19 patients who died [66]. Similarly, studying 1099 COVID-19 patients, Guan showed the d-dimer level was significantly elevated among non-survivors compared to survivors [68]. Fei et al. reported a higher level of d-dimer (1 µg/mL on admission) among 191 COVID-19 patients, which was associated with a high rate of mortality [69]. Huang et al. reported that COVID-19 patients with 0.5 µg/mL or higher levels of d-dimer on admission need critical care support [70].

Platelet count

Studies have shown that among COVID-19 patients, severe hematologic changes lead to thrombocytopenia. A meta-analysis of 2361 patients revealed that those with severe COVID-19 infections had thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis in 13–61%, respectively [4]. Another meta-analysis on 1799 patients reported that severe COVID-19 patients had a significantly lower platelet count [71]. Thrombocytopenia can increase the mortality rate in severe patients. Platelet counts can indicate the severity of some infectious diseases [72]. The results of a retrospective cohort study on the 52 COVID-19 patients showed higher levels of platelets in the severe group as the most common biomarker of infection [73]. A study by Young on the 18 COVID-19 patients indicated a lower platelet count among the severe group [74]. There result is not consistent with the platelet counting, thrombocytopenia, and thrombocytosis has seen among COVID-19 patients. However, most studies have shown that thrombocytopenia occurs in severe patients.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)

LDH is an intracellular enzyme found in cells of many tissues in the body, especially in the kidneys, skeletal muscle, heart, liver, RBCs, brain, and lungs. Since LDH is present throughout the body, the total LDH levels cannot be a specific indicator of a particular disease or indicate damage to a particular organ [75]. When LDH-containing cells are damaged or diseased, LDH is shed into the bloodstream and leads to an increase in its LDH levels. Under normal conditions, the lactate dehydrogenase converts pyruvate to lactate during the glycolysis cycle. Neoplastic conditions, pancreatitis, muscle injury, cell membrane damage, and liver and lung diseases such as COVID-19 stimulate the production of lactate dehydrogenase [76]. Various studies have shown that LDH levels are higher in severe COVID-19 patients compared with non-severe patients. A study on 1099 patients showed that high levels of LDH in these patients were associated with tissue damage and inflammation [68]. Also, high levels of LDH were associated with CT scans and significantly reflect pneumonia. LDH is not a tissue-specific marker [12]. Furthermore, it has been shown that the level of LDH is increased in COVID-19 patients, and this increase is significant in severe patients. Besides, there is accumulating evidence in using LDH as a biomarker for measuring the severity of COVID-19 disease [76].

Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and prothrombin time (PT)

PT and PTT are coagulating system factors that characterize the coagulation of the blood. These factors can also be used for the early diagnosis of DIC [77]. Prothrombin, which is proteolytically cleaved to form thrombin, acts as a serine protease that converts fibrinogen to fibrin. High prothrombin expression is associated with increased plasma thrombin and leads to coagulation activation and thrombosis [78]. These factors are used to monitor bleeding problems. It has been reported that the treatment effect of heparin reduces blood’s tendency to clot. Long et al. reported that hypercoagulation is probably seen in the early stages of COVID-19 patients. hypercoagulation is associated with disease progression and clinical outcomes [79]. Disruption of the coagulation system leads to a longer PT test time. In COVID-19 patients, prolongation of PT time is associated with disease outcome [33].

Fibrinogen

Fibrinogen is a glycoprotein produced by the liver and circulating in the blood. In tissue and vascular damage, fibrinogen is converted to fibrin by thrombin and blood clots are formed. Tang et al. reported that decreased fibrinogen and increased PT and D-dimer are associated with DIC among severe COVID-19 patients [45]. The laboratory parameters of COVID-19 patients demonstrated prothrombic diathesis in critically ill patients with extremely high fibrinogen levels [80]. The effect of COVID-19 on the coagulation cascade in vitro was examined by Giannis and Ziogas. A high expression of the procoagulant factor fibrinogen (FGB, FGG) genes in the virus-infected nuclear cells were identified [30]. A similar study by Zou et al. tested the coagulation function of 303 COVID-19 patients. The findings showed that fibrinogen levels in 5.7% of patients with moderate disease were > 7.0 g/L, compared to 19.1% with serious disease [81]. However, thrombolysis lowers fibrinogen levels in the advanced stages and increases fibrin-degradation products. As shown by Connors and Levy, if coagulation continues unchecked, it might lead to consumptive coagulopathy and bleeding [82].

Ferritin

Ferritin is an intracellular protein that contains iron and is the major form of iron stored in the cells. Although this protein is found in most tissue and organs, small amounts are secreted into the blood and are the carrier of iron. Ferritin is used as an indirect marker of the total amount of iron stored in the body [83]. Ferritin concentration increases significantly during the infection or cancerous conditions. Also, ferritin is an acute phase reactant that rises in the course of the disease [84]. Chen reported an increase in ferritin in 63% of COVID-19 patients that may be associated with poor clinical outcomes [85].

Management of coagulation among COVID-19 patients

Coagulation biomarker surveillance

The immune system, ACE2 dysfunction, and coagulation factors are the significant activators in coagulation. Studies have shown that coagulation in COVID-19 patients is associated with increased heart damage and mortality rates. Therefore, it is recommended to investigate coagulation associated markers (D-dimer, ferritin, PT, aPTT, fibrinogen, and platelet count) and some inflammatory factors associated with tissue damage such as IL-6 on admission in newly confirmed COVID-19 patients [66, 69, 86]. Biomarkers related to inflammation and coagulation should be checked regularly because of the importance of predicting the outcome and timely implementation of anti-coagulation strategies. Some of these factors associated with the development of DIC act like double-edged swords and imbalance the expression levels of these factors by increasing infectivity, tissue damage, and d-dimer and decreasing the fibrinogen. Therefore, further care should be taken in the treatment of these patients.

Therapeutic strategy of COVID-19 patients

The lungs are the most affected organs of COVID-19 patients and pneumonia-like symptoms are the most common clinical manifestations in infected patients [87]. Some patients, especially elderly men and those with an underlying disease, may experience multi-organ dysfunction and respiratory failure [88, 89]. There is no targeted treatment currently available for SARS-COV-2 infection. Treatment regimens are largely supportive although multiple antiviral therapies are being evaluated. However, antibacterial drugs are used to prevent secondary infections [9]. In COVID-19 patients, impaired immune pathways, inflammation, and coagulation are associated with poor outcomes. So, balancing these pathways is vital. Elderly patients with underlying disease are susceptible to inflammation, vascular endothelial damage, and severe disease. Therefore, the drug should be prescribed according to the level of biomarkers related to coagulation, inflammation, and the immune system. Drug interactions should be considered to avoid drug–drug interactions that are effective in hypercoagulation.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted medical science and management. These days, researchers are intensely looking for vaccines, and clinicians are facing new symptoms of the disease and are using new treatments to improve the outcome of the disease. Analysis of previous data indicates that coagulopathy caused by an inflammatory response to the SARS-Cov-2 infection results in coagulation and thrombosis formation and leads to worsening the condition of patients. Lack of previous immunity to COVID-19 leads to a large number of people become infected. Coagulation disorders in COVID-19 patients are associated with disease severity and mortality. COVID-19 infection interrupts the coagulation system and increases the risk of thromboembolism in various organs. Therefore, it is essential to monitor coagulation biomarkers (D-dimer, PT, aPTT, platelet count, and fibrinogen) regularly and use coagulation inhibitors in this disease.

Author contributions

XJ: conception, design and inviting co-authors to participate. L-ZH and Z-XS: writing original manuscript draft. D-MZ: review and editing of manuscript critically for important intellectual content and provided comments and feedback for the scientific contents of the manuscript. All authors read, revised and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

This work was supported by the Hangzhou Medical Technology Plan Project (No. OO20190052 to LZH).

Declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest in this work.