Background and aim
The study aimed to determine whether the MPs levels and platelet activation are affected by
the COVID-19 infection in both malignant and non-malignant patients compared to healthy
individuals and define their contribution to the COVID-19 associated coagulopathy and the
relation of these MPs to other hematologic parameters.
Patients and methods
We recruited 23 malignant patients with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
(RT-PCR) positive COVID-19, also, 19 COVID-19 non-malignant patients, and 20 healthy
volunteers were also enrolled for comparison. Blood samples were collected from
patients and healthy donors into 5 mL vacutainer tube containing 3.5% buffered sodium
citrate solution for measurement of total microparticles (TMPs), platelet microparticles
(PMPs), endothelial microparticles (EMPs), CD62 activated platelets, and CD41 platelet
marker.
Results
COVID-19 malignant patients had significantly lower hemoglobin and platelets compared to
COVID non-malignant ones, while they had significantly higher C-reactive protein, LDH,
AST, Albunim, creatinine, and prognostic index (PI) compared to COVID-19 non-malignantpatients. significant accumulations of TMPs, PMPs, EMPs, and activated platelets in
COVID-19 affected patients compared to healthy controls. TMPs, and EMPs were significantly
accumulated in COVID-19 malignant compared to COVID-19 non-malignant patients
with no significant difference in PMPs between both.
Conclusion
Circulating MPs and activated platelets may be promising novel prognostic biomarkers
capable of identifying potentially severe COVID-19 patients who require immediate care
especially in cancer patients.