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01-12-2021 | SARS-CoV-2 | Original Communication

Blood neurofilament light chain and total tau levels at admission predict death in COVID-19 patients

Authors: Rebecca De Lorenzo , Nicola I. Loré, Annamaria Finardi, Alessandra Mandelli, Daniela M. Cirillo, Cristina Tresoldi, Francesco Benedetti, Fabio Ciceri, Patrizia Rovere-Querini, Giancarlo Comi, Massimo Filippi, Angelo A. Manfredi, Roberto Furlan

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 12/2021

Abstract

Background and aims

Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 range from asymptomatic, to mild, moderate or severe disease evolution including fatal outcome. Thus, early predictors of clinical outcome are highly needed. We investigated markers of neural tissue damage as a possible early sign of multisystem involvement to assess their clinical prognostic value on survival or transfer to intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

We collected blood from 104 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 the day of admission to the emergency room and measured blood neurofilament light chair (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), and total tau protein levels.

Results

We found that NfL, GFAP, and tau were significantly increased in patients with fatal outcome, while NfL and UCH-L1 in those needing ICU transfer. ROC and Kaplan–Meier curves indicated that total tau levels at admission accurately predict mortality.

Conclusions

Blood neural markers may provide additional prognostic value to conventional biomarkers used to predict COVID-19 outcome.

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Title: Blood neurofilament light chain and total tau levels at admission predict death in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Rebecca De Lorenzo
Nicola I. Loré
Annamaria Finardi
Alessandra Mandelli
Daniela M. Cirillo
Cristina Tresoldi
Francesco Benedetti
Fabio Ciceri
Patrizia Rovere-Querini
Giancarlo Comi
Massimo Filippi
Angelo A. Manfredi
Roberto Furlan
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19
Biomarkers
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 12/2021
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-021-10595-6

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Blood neurofilament light chain and total tau levels at admission predict death in COVID-19 patients

Abstract

Background and aims

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background and aims

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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