Monocyte CD169 Expression as a Biomarker in the Early Diagnosis of Coronavirus Disease 2019

J Infect Dis. 2021 Feb 24;223(4):562-567. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa724.

Abstract

We assessed the expression of CD169, a type I interferon-inducible receptor, on monocytes (monocyte CD169 [mCD169]) in 53 adult patients admitted to the hospital during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak for a suspicion of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Monocyte CD169 was strongly overexpressed in 30 of 32 (93.7%) confirmed COVID-19 cases, compared with 3 of 21 (14.3%) patients in whom the diagnosis of COVID-19 was finally ruled out. Monocyte CD169 was associated with the plasma interferon-alpha level and thrombocytopenia. Monocyte CD169 testing may be helpful for the rapid triage of suspected COVID-19 patients during an outbreak.

Keywords: CD169; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; monocytes; viral infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis*
  • COVID-19 / metabolism
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monocytes / metabolism*
  • Monocytes / virology
  • ROC Curve
  • Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • SIGLEC1 protein, human
  • Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 1