Mandy Campbell from HORIBA Medical provides an overview of COVID-19 screening, prognosis and severity assessment, with a particular focus on the role of biomarkers and the value of point-of-care testing in the initial triage of patients.
It has become increasingly clear that COVID-19 causes more than a respiratory illness, with multiple systems of the body being affected by the virus. Much research has been carried out to establish which biomarkers, aside from detecting antigen and antibodies, can assist the clinician in determining the prognosis and treatment of the patient.
The gold standard for confirmation of COVID-19 diagnosis is through the detection by molecular analysis of the viral genome using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). However, detection of the virus is not a predictor of the severity of the disease, so the use of a comprehensive panel of easily measured biological markers with clinical observations can support screening and prompt patient management decisions.
White blood cells, platelets, D-dimer, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP) have all been observed to be abnormal in COVID-19 patients and can be used to help in the assessment of the severity of the disease. Although not exhaustive, these haematology biomarkers that can be measured on routine haematology analysers do represent essential biological markers to support clinical decision-making for risk stratification and management. This article discusses these haematology biomarkers and how they can be measured, particularly for rapid triage of COVID-19 patients at the point of care.
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