Background: In viral infections, mitochondria act as one of the main hubs of the pathogenesis. Recent findings present new insights into the potential role of circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA (ccf-mtDNA) in COVID-19 pathogenesis by the induction of immune response and aggressive cytokine storm in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Methods and results: The levels of ccf-mtDNA were investigated in 102 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 using the quantitative PCR (q-PCR) method. Statistical analysis confirmed a strong association between the levels of ccf-mtDNA and and mortality, ICU admission, and intubation. Also, our findings highlighted the pivotal role of comorbidities as a risk factor for COVID-19 mortality and severity.
Conclusion: Higher levels of ccf-mtDNA can serve as a potential early indicator for progress and poor prognosis of COVID-19.
Keywords: COVID-19; Circulating mitochondrial DNA; Prognosis; SARS-CoV-2; Severity.
© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.