(Embargoed until 4-27.21 9 a.m. EDT)
Scientists are hopeful that the results of a new study will lead to a regular screening process for COVID-19 patients that shows who is more likely to develop severe disease, thus enabling medical professionals to come up with successful, customized treatments.
A study showed that a simple urine analysis of COVID-19 patients is able to detect elevated levels of specific biomarkers of the immune system, compared to those who are not infected with the coronavirus. Inflammatory markers are also higher in patients with conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Researchers wanted to determine whether biomarkers of COVID-19 could predict who would develop “overly exuberant immune responses,” called a cytokine storm. They opted to use a noninvasive urine analysis over needles or blood samples.
SOURCE: Newswise April 27, 2021