Association of Neuronal Injury Blood Marker Neurofilament light chain with mild-to-moderate COVID-19

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects primarily the respiratory system but neurologic manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are possible. Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) has recently been considered as a specific biomarker to quantitate neuro-axonal damage. Concentrations of sNfL were determined in a prospective cohort study of 100 health care workers (84 females, 16 males) following a COVID-19 outbreak in a large hospital by using the single molecule array (Simoa) NF-light advantage kit. Twenty eight health care workers contracted mild-to-moderate COVID-19, recovered after 1-3 weeks without hospitalization and showed no or only minor neurological symptoms such as anosmia, fatigue or headache. sNfL levels were consistently higher in older persons and multivariable linear regression analysis revealed COVID-19 status as an independent predictor of sNfL (p=.005). In conclusion, increased sNfL levels in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients points towards a more general neuro-destructive capability of SARS-CoV-2.

Guillain–Barré syndrome spectrum associated with COVID-19: an up-to-date systematic review of 73 cases

“…However, a possible bias might rely on the lack of systematic data concerning the latency between symptom onset and CSF sampling in COVID-19 GBS cases. On another issue, in a further case of MFS associated withCOVID-19, who came to our attention, we observed the absence of intrathecal synthesis of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies together with a massive increase of CSF phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNfH) and serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) proteins, supporting the role of neurochemical markers as easily implementable tools for the detection of nervous system affection in COVID-19-related diseases [ 81 , 82 ].…”

Tetravalent Influenza Vaccine Is Not Associated With Neuroaxonal Damage in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

“…This is crucial, as immune reactions associated with systemic infections appear to impact the integrity of the CNS, eventually resulting in MS exacerbations ( 6 , 7 ). In fact, recent studies revealed elevated NfL levels during COVID-19, irrespective of the clinical course ( 32 , 33 ). Moreover, increased NfL concentrations at the time of admission of COVID-19 patients were linked to a higher mortality risk ( 34 ).…”

Masked education? The benefits and burdens of wearing face masks in schools during the current Corona pandemic

“…A new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has caused a global pandemic of the disease Covid-19, with – as of July 31st – almost 300.000 new cases within a single day, more than 17 million confirmed infections, and more than 670.000 deaths [16] . Initially regarded as some form of flu with symptoms such as fever and cough, it has been found to be much more severe, affecting not only the lungs but also the liver, heart, kidneys, and brain, with symptoms such as anosmia [12] and cognitive dysfunction due to defects of neuro-axonal integrity (even in mild to moderate cases; [1] ). In severely ill patients, the virus causes a two-pronged attack by a dysfunctional immune system (“cytokine storm”) and blood clotting system (“multi-organ thrombosis”; [33] , [66] ), causing strokes with chronic neurological deficits [60] , [70] .…”