Skip to the main content

Biochemia Medica, Vol. 30 No. 3, 2020.

Review article

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2020.030503

SARS-CoV-2 – a new challenge for laboratory medicine

Slavica Dodig orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-3419-5171 ; Department of Medical Biochemistry and Hematology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Čepelak ; Department of Medical Biochemistry and Hematology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Daniela Čepelak Dodig ; Department for Toxicology, Croatian Institute of Public Health Zagreb, Croatia
Renata Laškaj ; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Hematology and Coagulation, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Zagreb, Croatia

Full text: english pdf 156 Kb

page 400-408

downloads: 405

cite

Abstract

The new corona virus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2) causes a disease called COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019),
that develops mostly in subjects with already impaired immune system function, primarily in the elderly and in individuals with some chronic disease
or condition. The reasons for this should be sought in the processes of aging and chronic latent inflammation, i.e. immunosenescence and
inflammaging.
Laboratory medicine specialists are currently focused on proving the presence of the virus and defining biomarkers that would enable the prediction
of disease progression. For now, it has been shown that useful biomarkers can include general biomarkers of inflammation (parameters of complete
blood count, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, procalcitonin), biomarkers of myocardial damage (high sensitivity troponin I/T, B-type natriuretic
peptide, and N-terminal B type natriuretic peptide), and vascular biomarkers (D-dimer, prothrombin time, fibrinogen). Their actual diagnostic specificity,
sensitivity and predictive value need to be tested on a larger number of subjects. In addition, it is important to find and evaluate specific
biomarkers of immunosenescence.

Keywords

biomarkers; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; laboratory medicine; patient safety

Hrčak ID:

244722

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/244722

Publication date:

15.10.2020.

Visits: 1.300 *