Elevation of neural injury markers in patients with neurologic sequelae after hospitalization for SARS-CoV-2 infection, 2022, Spanos et al

Highlights

• 40% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 developed neurological sequelae after recovery
• Age, disease severity, and COVID-19 infection were associated with neurological sequelae
• GFAP and NF-L were significantly elevated in SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to controls
• GFAP and NF-L were elevated in patients with long-term neurological symptoms

Summary

Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) risk developing long-term neurologic symptoms after infection. Here, we identify biomarkers associated with neurologic sequelae one year after hospitalization for SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2-positive patients were followed using post-SARS-CoV-2 online questionnaires and virtual visits. Hospitalized adults from the pre-SARS-CoV-2 era served as historical controls. 40% of hospitalized patients develop neurological sequelae in the year after recovery from acute COVID-19 infection. Age, disease severity, and COVID-19 infection itself was associated with additional risk for neurological sequelae in our cohorts. Glial fibrillary astrocytic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light chain (NF-L) were significantly elevated in SARS-CoV-2 infection. After adjusting for age, sex, and disease severity, GFAP and NF-L remained significantly associated with longer term neurological symptoms in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. GFAP and NF-L warrant exploration as biomarkers for long-term neurologic complications after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Open access, https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(22)01105-1