Immunoglobulins in COVID-19 pneumonia: from the acute phase to the recovery phase

Eur J Med Res. 2024 Apr 6;29(1):223. doi: 10.1186/s40001-024-01824-5.

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 pneumonia causes hyperinflammatory response that culminates in acute respiratory syndrome (ARDS) related to increased multiorgan dysfunction and mortality risk. Antiviral-neutralizing immunoglobulins production reflect the host humoral status and illness severity, and thus, immunoglobulin (Ig) circulating levels could be evidence of COVID-19 prognosis.

Methods: The relationship among circulating immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) and COVID-19 pneumonia was evaluated using clinical information and blood samples in a COVID-19 cohort composed by 320 individuals recruited during the acute phase and followed up to 4 to 8 weeks (n = 252) from the Spanish first to fourth waves.

Results: COVID-19 pneumonia development depended on baseline Ig concentrations. Circulating IgA levels together with clinical features at acute phase was highly associated with COVID-19 pneumonia development. IgM was positively correlated with obesity (ρb = 0.156, P = 0.020), dyslipemia (ρb = 0.140, P = 0.029), COPD (ρb = 0.133, P = 0.037), cancer (ρb = 0.173, P = 0.007) and hypertension (ρb = 0.148, P = 0.020). Ig concentrations at recovery phase were related to COVID-19 treatments.

Conclusions: Our results provide valuable information on the dynamics of immunoglobulins upon SARS-CoV-2 infection or other similar viruses.

Keywords: COVID-19 pneumonia; IgA; IgG; IgM; Immunoglobulins; SARS-CoV-2.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin A