Neutrophils and Lymphocytes Can Help Distinguish Asymptomatic COVID-19 From Moderate COVID-19

• Published in: Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology Vol. 11; p. 654272
• Main Authors: Gu, Xuefeng, Sha, Ling, Zhang, Shaofeng, Shen, Duo, Zhao, Wei, Yi, Yongxiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A 15.10.2021
• Subjects: asymptomatic infection; Cellular and Infection Microbiology; COVID-19; DCA; logistic regression; lymphocytes; neutrophils
• ISSN: 2235-2988; 2235-2988
• DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.654272

Asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and moderate COVID-19 may be the most common COVID-19 cases. This study was designed to develop a diagnostic model for patients with asymptomatic and moderate COVID-19 based on demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables.IntroductionAsymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and moderate COVID-19 may be the most common COVID-19 cases. This study was designed to develop a diagnostic model for patients with asymptomatic and moderate COVID-19 based on demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables.This retrospective study divided the subjects into 2 groups: asymptomatic COVID-19 (without symptoms, n = 15) and moderate COVID-19 (with symptoms, n = 57). Demographic characteristics, clinical data, routine blood tests, other laboratory tests, and inpatient data were collected and analyzed to compare patients with asymptomatic COVID-19 and moderate COVID-19.MethodsThis retrospective study divided the subjects into 2 groups: asymptomatic COVID-19 (without symptoms, n = 15) and moderate COVID-19 (with symptoms, n = 57). Demographic characteristics, clinical data, routine blood tests, other laboratory tests, and inpatient data were collected and analyzed to compare patients with asymptomatic COVID-19 and moderate COVID-19.Comparison of the asymptomatic COVID-19 group with the moderate COVID-19 group yielded the following results: the patients were younger (P = 0.045); the cluster of differentiation (CD)8+ (cytotoxic) T cell level was higher (P = 0.017); the C-reactive protein (CRP) level was lower (P = 0.001); the white blood cell (WBC, P < 0.001), neutrophil (NEU, P = 0.036), lymphocyte (LYM, P = 0.009), and eosinophil (EOS, P = 0.036) counts were higher; and the serum iron level (P = 0.049) was higher in the asymptomatic COVID-19 group. The multivariate analysis showed that the NEU count (odds ratio [OR] = 2.007, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.162 - 3.715, P = 0.014) and LYM count (OR = 9.380, 95% CI: 2.382 - 36.934, P = 0.001) were independent factors for the presence of clinical symptoms after COVID-19 infection. The NEU count and LYM count were diagnostic predictors of asymptomatic COVID-19. This diagnostic prediction model showed high discriminatory power, consistency, and net clinical benefits.ResultsComparison of the asymptomatic COVID-19 group with the moderate COVID-19 group yielded the following results: the patients were younger (P = 0.045); the cluster of differentiation (CD)8+ (cytotoxic) T cell level was higher (P = 0.017); the C-reactive protein (CRP) level was lower (P = 0.001); the white blood cell (WBC, P < 0.001), neutrophil (NEU, P = 0.036), lymphocyte (LYM, P = 0.009), and eosinophil (EOS, P = 0.036) counts were higher; and the serum iron level (P = 0.049) was higher in the asymptomatic COVID-19 group. The multivariate analysis showed that the NEU count (odds ratio [OR] = 2.007, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.162 - 3.715, P = 0.014) and LYM count (OR = 9.380, 95% CI: 2.382 - 36.934, P = 0.001) were independent factors for the presence of clinical symptoms after COVID-19 infection. The NEU count and LYM count were diagnostic predictors of asymptomatic COVID-19. This diagnostic prediction model showed high discriminatory power, consistency, and net clinical benefits.The proposed model can distinguish asymptomatic COVID-19 from moderate COVID-19, thereby helping clinicians identify and distinguish patients with potential asymptomatic COVID-19 from those with moderate COVID-19.ConclusionsThe proposed model can distinguish asymptomatic COVID-19 from moderate COVID-19, thereby helping clinicians identify and distinguish patients with potential asymptomatic COVID-19 from those with moderate COVID-19.