HYBRID EVENT: You can participate in person at Madrid, Spain or Virtually from your home or work.

2nd Edition of International Summit on Hematology and Blood Disorders

March 20-22, 2025

March 20 -22, 2025 | Madrid, Spain
Hematology 2023

Ritu Sharma

Ritu Sharma, Speaker at Hematology Conferences
Government Medical College, India
Title : A study of hypercoagulable and inflammatory markers in Covid-19 patients

Abstract:

A procoagulant state and dysfunctional immune response prevails in SARS-Cov2 infection. The goal of the present study was to explore the trend of potential parameters such as D-Dimer, IL-6, C-reactive protein and Pro-calcitonin (PCT) in Covid-19 patients. The study was conducted in a period of 2020- 21 when the knowledge was still growing pertaining to this virus. A total of 500 cases were enrolled who were either admitted or visiting Outdoor clinics. 95% of the patients had significantly raised D-Dimer levels (>1.0ug/ml) , some showing levels up to 40ug/ml. D-Dimer being a fibrinogen degradation product indicates a hyper coagulation state in these patients. Besides, a significant surge in IL-6 levels were observed. Out of 500, 488 patients showed IL-6 levels more than 7pg/ml. This increase was associated with increased inflammation, as C-reactive protein levels were more than 6mg/ml in majority of these patients. An interesting finding was the elevation in PCT levels. The relevant increase was especially observed in ICU cases and those admitted in wards. These patients had significantly raised PCT levels (>0.05ng/ml) as compared to those who were only visiting outdoors and were advised home isolation depending upon their clinical condition. High PCT levels indicate the bacterial infection in a due course due to inflammation giving way to normal bacteria to invade lung tissue. PCT levels would be helpful in identifying severe cases and their treatment accordingly. Because of the heavy rush of Covid-19 patients, a follow up study could not be done. However repeated estimations (as suggested by the clinician) of D-Dimer, IL-6, C-reactive protein and PCT in ICU patients and those admitted in ward showed that levels correlated well with their clinical condition. The trend was quiet clear in Covid-19 patients as none of these cases showed levels close to normal reference levels. Hence, it may be concluded Covid-19 infection is certainly associated with hypercoagulable inflammatory state along with immune dysregulation and these parameters have huge potential to frame a treatment strategy and prognosis especially in hospitalized critically ill patients.

Audience Takeaway:
The knowledge regarding the pathogenic mechanisms of SARS Cov-2 is still growing. However, it is quite clear now that the above mentioned markers clearly showed a significant increase in Covid-19 patients which would be helpful in framing treatment strategies. Estimation of PCT could identify the severe cases from the mild one.   SARS Cov-2 infection increases the risk of thrombosis, hence it would be interesting to see if some protein kinases can also get activated in platelets mitigating the hyper coagulation state.

Biography:

Dr. Ritu Sharma studied Master’s Biochemistry at Government Medical College, Amritsar, India in 2002. She then joined the research group of Prof. Balwant Singh at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India as fellow of Indian Council of Medical Research for her Ph.D. program. She received her PhD degree in 2007 in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. After one year postdoctoral fellowship supervised by Prof. Ulhas Naik at University of Delaware, USA, she obtained the position of Assistant Professor Biochemistry (current position) at Government Medical College, Amritsar, India. She has published 23 research articles in journals of repute with 3 Best Paper Awards to her credit.

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