Do Levels of the Platelet Activation Markers sCD40 L and SCUBE 1 Differ between Laboratory-Confirmed and Clinically Diagnosed COVID-19 Patients?

Aim: Thromboembolic complications are an important cause of mortality and morbidity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. The purpose of this study was to compare levels of the platelet activation markers soluble CD40 ligand (sCD 40L) and signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein 1 (SCUBE 1) and hematological parameters between laboratory-confirmed and clinically diagnosed COVID-19 patients. No previous studies have investigated levels of these markers in laboratory-confirmed and clinically diagnosed COVID-19 patients. Material and Method: Fifty-one laboratory-confirmed and clinically diagnosed COVID-19 patients with no exclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Blood specimens were collected for SCUBE1, sCD40 L, and hematological and biochemical parameter measurement. These parameters from laboratoryconfirmed and clinically diagnosed COVID-19 patients were then compared. Results: SCUBE1 and sCD40L levels were significantly higher in the laboratory-confirmed group compared to the clinically diagnosed group (p<0.05 and p =0.005, respectively). Time elapsing between onset of symptoms and presentation to hospital was significantly shorter in the laboratory-confirmed group, while rates of contact with COVID-19 patients were significantly higher (p <0.001 and p <0.005, respectively). SCUBE 1 levels were significantly negatively correlated with ferritin and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p< 0.05, r= - 0.322 and p< 0.05, r= - 0.351, respectively). Conclusion: This study shows, for the first time in the literature, that levels of the platelet activation markers SCUBE1 and sCD40L are significantly higher in laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients compared to clinically diagnosed individuals.