Detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus using an alternative molecular method and evaluation of biochemical, hematological, inflammatory, and oxidative stress in healthcare professionals

Abstract

In early December 2019, an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by a new strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), occurred in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Since then, frontline healthcare professionals have been experiencing extremely stressful situations and damage to their physical and mental health. These adverse conditions cause stress and biochemical, hematological, and inflammatory changes, as well as oxidative damage, and could be potentially detrimental to the health of the individual. The study population consisted of frontline health professionals working in BHU in a city in southern Brazil. Among the 45 participants, two were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and were diagnosed using immunochromatographic tests such as salivary RT-LAMP and qRT-PCR. We also evaluated biochemical, hematological, inflammatory, and oxidative stress markers in the participants. The infected professionals (CoV-2-Prof) showed a significant increase in the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cholesterol, lactic dehydrogenase, lymphocytes, and monocytes. In this group, the levels of uric acid, triglycerides, leukocytes, neutrophils, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets decreased. In the group of uninfected professionals (NoCoV-2-Prof), significant increase in HDL levels and the percentages of eosinophils and monocytes, was observed. Further, in this group, uric acid, LDH, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels, and the hematocrit count and mean corpuscular volume were significantly reduced. Both groups showed significant inflammatory activity with changes in the levels of C-reactive protein and mucoprotein. The NoCoV-2-Prof group showed significantly elevated plasma cortisol levels. To our kowledge, this study is the first to report the use of the RT-LAMP method with the saliva samples of health professionals, to evalute of SARS-CoV-2.

New low-cost biofilters for SARS-CoV-2 using Hymenachne grumosa as a precursor

“…It might be highlighted that besides being following the biosecurity guideline, the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 was used in other previous studies performed, as Trassante et al (2021) aimed the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare professionals with RT-LAMP (Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification) and qRT-PCR techniques.…”

The Use of Biomarkers in Research with Nursing Personnel: A Narrative Review

“…Biomarkers were also identified in blood and urine samples by the studies included in this review. Thus, hematological markers, inflammatory markers, and oxidative damage in blood were obtained in a study carried out in Brazil [18], serum albumin, alpha 1, alpha 2, beta and gamma globulines, serum creatinine, and gamma-GT were obtained in a study carried out in Italy [20], as well as, still in this country, the number of lymphocytes and subpopulation of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+-CD57+, CD19+ and CD56+, cytotoxic activity and lymphoproliferative response from NK cells, serum concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-6, INF gamma and TNF alpha [22], genetic and immunotoxicological biomarkers, dosage of iron and serum glucose levels were identified in a study in Hungary [21]. In Taiwan, Republic of China, blood samples were obtained from 90 nurses for plasma copper, ferritin, interleukin (IL)-6, and alanine aminotransferase, considering that ferritin and IL-6 are important markers for the onset of depression [23].…”

Carrageenan from Gigartina skottsbergii: A Novel Molecular Probe to Detect SARS-CoV-2

“…The RT-LAMP assay was carried out on isolated RNA after binding the carrageenan probe and SARS-CoV-2 virus particles. The RT-LAMP assay was performed according to Trassante [ 6 ]. A reaction mix with a final volume of 25 μL was prepared using the WarmStart ® Colorimetric LAMP 2X Master Mix Kit according to the manufacturer’s instructions.…”

“…This technique has been highly beneficial in diagnosing and surveilling suspected patients. However, alternative methods to identify SARS-CoV-2 have been proposed [ 6 ]. In the last two years, research has sought to develop new molecular strategies for detecting the virus.…”

“…Our research team previously investigated the biotechnological potential of subantarctic algae, such as lipidomics, and, more recently, using κ-carrageenan as a biodegradable film to activate natural oils with antimicrobial protection [ 21 , 22 ]. In addition, new and pioneering approaches to remove SARS-CoV-2 from water and sewage have been developed, along with alternative methods of diagnosing this virus in healthcare workers [ 2 , 6 , 23 , 24 ]. In this study, we aimed to extract and characterize carrageenan from the Chilean macroalgae G. skottsbergii for use in molecular methods as a binding probe for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.…”