Selenium Deficiency Is Associated with Mortality Risk from COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused significant mortality, especially in vulnerable populations.
• Selenium (Se) is crucial for immune function, and low Se status is linked to increased mortality in severe conditions like sepsis.
• A hypothesis suggests that Se status may also influence COVID-19 outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between selenium status and COVID-19 patient outcomes.
• To compare Se levels in COVID-19 patients with reference populations.
• To explore the potential role of Se in COVID-19 convalescence.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples from 33 COVID-19 patients were analyzed for total Se and selenoprotein P (SELENOP) using X-ray fluorescence and ELISA.
• Patient Se levels were compared to reference data from a European cross-sectional study (EPIC, n=1915).
• Se status was assessed in relation to patient survival and disease progression.

Main Results:

• COVID-19 patients exhibited significantly lower serum Se and SELENOP concentrations compared to the reference population.
• A substantial proportion of patients (43.4% for Se, 39.2% for SELENOP) had Se status below the 2.5th percentile of the reference group.
• Surviving patients had significantly higher Se and SELENOP levels than non-survivors, with levels improving in survivors over time.

Conclusions:

• Selenium status analysis offers diagnostic insights for COVID-19 patients.
• The study highlights a potential role for selenium in COVID-19 convalescence.
• Findings support further investigation into adjuvant selenium supplementation for severely ill, Se-deficient patients.