DETECTION RATE OF INCREASED ANNEXIN LEVELS OVER TIME IN PATIENTS WITH SARS-COV-2-ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA

Abstract

Introduction. In the current state of the art in medicine, it is relevant to search for convincing markers involved in the pathogenesis of lung damage and significant in determining the prognosis of SARS-CoV-2-associated pneumonia. One of the significant pathogenetic elements in the development of lung lesions, including SARS-CoV-2-associated pneumonia, is the intensification of apoptosis. Annexin A5 (ANXA5) is a protein that allows inferring the level of cells at the early apoptosis stage. Aim: To determine the detection rate of increased annexin levels in patients with SARS- CoV-2-associated pneumonia and to assess its dynamics at the inpatient stage of treatment. Materials and Methods: 90 residents of the Astrakhan region were examined, all diagnosed with the coronavirus infection COVID-19 (virus identified). The patients were aged 47 [39; 57] years, 47 men and 43 women. ANXA5 levels (ng/ml) in blood serum were evaluated using immunoassay analyzer Uniplan AIFR-01, manufactured by Picon, Russia. The data obtained were processed statistically using SPSS 26.0. Results and Discussion. On admission to the hospital, ANXA5 levels were statistically higher in patients with SARS-CoV-2-associated pneumonia than those in the group of somatically healthy individuals. Increased annexin levels were detected in 76.7% of patients. The chance of detecting increased annexin levels in patients with SARS-CoV-2-associated pneumonia was 2.4 times higher than in the group of somatically healthy individuals (OR 2.43; 95% CI 1.75-3.37). During the treatment period, ANXA5 levels decreased statistically. However, even at discharge, increased annexin levels were detected in most patients (74.4%). Detection rate of increased annexin levels throughout hospitalization was higher in patients with large lung tissue lesions. Conclusions: The data obtained indicate the intensification of apoptotic processes in patients with SARS-CoV-2-associated pneumonia and suggest the study of the ANXA5 prognostic role in the coronavirus infection course and outcomes.