METHODS FOR DETECTING AND TREATING COVID PATIENTS REQUIRING INTENSIVE CARE

摘要

The present invention provides novel, easy-to-monitor and sensitive parameters, biomarkers and methods for the prediction of SARS-CoV-2 patients outcome, allowing in particular an early identification of patients evolving towards severe COVID-19 forms. The examples presented in the application show that a calprotectin-driven emergency myelopoisis in patients undergoing a switch toward a severe form of COVID 19 generates an innate immune cell signature of severe COVID-19. More precisely, the present inventors have found that the amount of CD14low/CD16+ monocytes, of HLA-DRlow classical monocytes and of CD16low neutrophils can independently or concomitantly be used as biomarkers of the severity of betacoronavirus infection, before the switch to the severe form of the infection (and related painful symptoms) actually occurs. The methods of the invention comprise the quantification, in a biological sample from an infected subject, of the amount of these immune cells. In addition, the Inventors have observed a surprising burst of calprotectin levels in COVID-19 patients that are undergoing a switch toward a severe disease. They therefore propose to use calprotectin plasma level as a biomarker of COVID-19 switch to severe form, and also as a therapeutic target for alleviating the disease symptoms.