Latent rheumatic, thyroid and phospholipid autoimmunity in hospitalized patients with COVID-19

• Published in: Journal of translational autoimmunity (Online) Vol. 4; p. 100091
• Main Authors: Anaya, Juan-Manuel, Monsalve, Diana M., Rojas, Manuel, Rodríguez, Yhojan, Montoya-García, Norma, Mancera-Navarro, Laura Milena, Villadiego-Santana, Ana María, Rodríguez-Leguizamón, Giovanni, Acosta-Ampudia, Yeny, Ramírez-Santana, Carolina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.01.2021; Elsevier
• Subjects: Autoimmunity; Clusters; COVID-19; Latent autoimmunity; Research paper; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Autoimmunity; Clusters; SARS-CoV-2; Latent autoimmunity
• ISSN: 2589-9090; 2589-9090
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtauto.2021.100091

Autoimmune responses mediated by autoantibodies have been observed in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Herein, we evaluate the presence of rheumatic, thyroid and phospholipid autoantibodies in sera samples from 120 adult hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in comparison to pre-pandemic samples from 100 healthy individuals. In addition, to estimate the frequency of these autoantibodies in COVID-19, a meta-analysis of selected articles was conducted. Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 had latent autoimmunity characterized by a high frequency of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies, rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide third generation antibodies, antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), IgM anti-β2-glycoprotein I (β2GP1) and IgM anti-cardiolipin antibodies. The meta-analysis confirmed our results, with RF and ANAs being the most common autoantibodies. In addition, cluster analysis revealed that those patients with high frequency of RF, IgM anti-β2GP1 antibodies and ANAs had a longer hospital stay, required more vasopressors during hospitalization, and were more likely to develop critical disease. These data suggest that latent autoimmunity influences the severity of COVID-19, and support further post-COVID studies in order to evaluate the development of overt autoimmunity. •Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 exhibit latent rheumatic, thyroid and antiphospholipid autoimmunity.•ANAs, RF, CCP3, antiphospholipid and anti-TPO antibodies are the most common autoantibodies in patients with COVID-19.•Levels of IgG ACA are associated with critical illness.•The presence of ANAs, RF, and IgM anti-β2GP1 antibodies is a risk factor for critical disease.