Low ct value as well as serum level of alb, ck, esr and crp may be predictors in discriminating mild versus severe covid-19

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) still has no specific laboratory markers to assess severity. As a novel acute infectious disease, early recognition of severe cases (nearly 20%) is essential for early triage and corresponding treatment. This study aimed to summarize the potential practical predictors for clinicians to identify severe cases during hospitalization. We collected the clinical laboratory data as well as the demographic, epidemiological and clinical information from 58 COVID-19 patients (26 severe cases, 32 mild cases) in Xiangyang Central Hospital (Xiangyang, China) during their hospitalization. The correlation between laboratory parameters and disease severity, laboratory parameters dynamics and the outcome of severe COVID-19 patients were fully analyzed. Finally, we compared the characteristics between severe and mild cases and summarized several laboratory parameters. The median age, concomitant diseases, PT, FIB, DD, ISTH/CDSS score, UN, CK, ESR and CRP were significantly higher in the severe cases, while the LYM count, viral nucleic acid Ct value, and Alb were significantly lower. Logistic regression analysis and AUC of ROC showed that Ct, Alb, CK, ESR and CRP may be good predictors for the severity of COVID-19 cases and patient prognosis. Laboratory parameter dynamics indicated the repletion of LYM, Alb, D-D, UN, CK, ESR and CRP may be important for the recovery of severe cases. Low Ct value and other parameters may have the potential to discriminate mild and severe COVID-19 cases and could be used as prognostic markers to guide treatment.