DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of severely ill COVID-19 patients in relation to inflammatory markers and parameters of hemostasis

Bearing in the mind that a variety of agents can contribute to genome instability, including viral infections, the aim of this study was to analyze DNA damage in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and its relationship with certain laboratory parameters. The potential impact of applied therapy and chest X-rays on DNA damage was also estimated. The study population included 24 severely COVID-19 patients and 15 healthy control subjects. The level of DNA damage was measured as genetic damage index (GDI) by comet assay. The standard laboratory methods and certified enzymatic reagents for the appropriate autoanalyzers were performed for the determination of the biochemical and hematological parameters. COVID-19 patients had significantly higher level of DNA damage compared with control subjects. The absolute number of neutrophil leukocytes was statistically higher, while the absolute number of lymphocytes was statistically lower in COVID-19 patients than in healthy controls. The analysis of the relationship between DNA damage and laboratory parameters indicated that GDI was positively correlated with interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentration and negatively with platelet count in COVID-19 patients. The level of DNA damage was slightly higher in female patients, in whom it was demonstrated a positive correlation of GDI with C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin. Likewise, there was a negative relationship of GDI and platelet count, and positive relationship of GDI and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) in female population. The applied therapy (antibiotics, corticosteroid, anticoagulant, and antiviral therapy) as well as chest X rays has been shown to have genotoxic potential. The level of DNA damage significantly corresponds to the inflammatory markers and parameters of hemostasis in COVID-19 patients. In conclusion, inflammation, smoking habit, applied therapy, and chest X rays contribute to a higher level of DNA damage in COVID-19 patients.