Serum levels of auto-antibodies (rheumatoid factor and anti-double stranded DNA) in Nigerian COVID-19 patients

A thorough understanding of how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contributes to autoantibody development is essential to clarify the possibility of autoimmune disorders in COVID-19 patients. Consequently, this study measured serum levels of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-double stranded DNA antibody (dsDNA ab), two key markers of autoimmune disorders, in COVID-19 patients and in apparently healthy controls.

Serum levels of rheumatoid factor and anti-dsDNA antibody were determined using turbidimetric immunoassay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) respectively in both COVID-19 patients (n = 40) and healthy controls (n = 28).

Serum levels of RF and anti-dsDNA antibody were similar in COVID-19 patients compared with controls. A significant positive correlation was observed between RF and anti-dsDNA antibody in healthy controls. The correlation between RF and anti-dsDNA antibody in COVID-19 patients was not significant.

SARS-CoV-2 infection did not significantly impact serum RF and anti-dsDNA antibody levels in the present infected individuals. Thus, autoimmune disorders are not indicated in these COVID-19 patients, and using therapeutic antagonists to target auto-antibodies may not be beneficial in managing COVID-19, as these patients are unlikely to develop an autoimmune disorder related to COVID-19.