SARS-CoV2 variants differentially impact on the plasma metabolome

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a global pandemic, with evolving variants altering disease presentation.
• Current SARS-CoV-2 infections are generally less severe than those observed in the initial pandemic wave.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate variations in plasma metabolomes among COVID-19 patients infected with different SARS-CoV-2 variants.
• To determine if plasma metabolomic profiles can indicate disease severity and specific variant infections.

Main Methods:

• Plasma samples were collected from COVID-19 patients infected with Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants and compared to healthy controls.
• Metabolomic analysis was performed using flow injection electrospray mass spectrometry (FIE-MS).
• Data analysis utilized the R-based MetaboAnalyst platform for statistical assessment.

Main Results:

• Distinct plasma metabolomic profiles were observed between COVID-19 patients and control groups.
• Metabolite variations correlated with specific SARS-CoV-2 variants, including differences in phospholipids, ganglioside GD1a, and dihydroxyvitamin D3 derivatives.
• Negative correlations were found between certain phospholipids and clinical markers of inflammation and severity (C-reactive protein, creatinine, neutrophil count, D-dimer).

Conclusions:

• Plasma metabolomic alterations in COVID-19 patients are associated with SARS-CoV-2 variant type.
• These metabolic changes, particularly in phospholipids, may serve as indicators of disease severity and variant-specific infection patterns.