LAUSR

BACKGROUND CD62P is a surface marker for platelet activation. Platelet dysfunction contributes to disproportionate intravascular microthrombosis in SARS-CoV-2. We aimed to assess the clinical significance of CD62P as a biomarker of platelet activation and its correlation to the clinical severity and outcome of COVID-19 infections. METHODS The study included 80 COVID-19 patients and, in addition, there were 20 age and gender-matched healthy controls. Laboratory measurements included CBC, serum ferritin, LDH, CRP, D-dimer and flow cytometric assessments of the platelet markers CD42b and CD62P. The primary study outcome was patients' survival at the end of study. RESULTS Among the studied patients, 24 patients (30.0%) died by the end of the study. Survivors had significantly lower CD62P values when compared with non-survivors [median (IQR): 75.5 (73.0 - 91.0) versus 96.0 (93.5 - 97.8), p < 0.001]. Patients with severe disease had significantly higher levels of CD62P levels [median (IQR): 95.5 (92.0 - 97.8) versus 75.0 (72.0 - 76.8), p < 0.001]. Logistic regression analysis identified D-dimer levels [OR (95% CI): 0.14 (0.03 - 0.74) and CD62P levels: OR (95% CI): 0.4 (0.17 - 0.94)] as significant predictors of mortality in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS CD62P expression on admission may be a useful prognostic maker in hospitalized Covid-19 patients. Its expression is related to other markers of inflammation and coagulopathy.