Embolism in COVID-19 Positive Patients

This study has conducted to find the possible links between genetic make up of ICU patients with severe Covid-19 and embolism. 13 polymorphisms and mutations that the investigators targeted are located on Factor II, Factor V, Factor XIII, MTHFR, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR), and FGB. The investigators have found significant changes in the mutant allele frequencies in most of the factors.

The main workflow to study a point change on DNA sequence begins with DNA isolation from a biological material. In this case, we received blood samples in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tubes from ICU patients with severe Covid-19. The investigators hypothesis claims that genetic factors triggering thrombotic events might increase the severity of the diseases by inducing the risk of emboli.

After DNA isolation, desired loci on DNA were amplified via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Amplicons including the mutations and polymorphisms need to be purified before next generation sequencing (NGS).

The investigators analyze the data using Integrative Genomics Viewer (IGV) program and check the genetic profile (wt, het, mut). Some of the changes are meaningful by themselves while some other need to be considered as combinations. Compound heterozygosity and diagnosis for thrombophilia require cooccurrence of the changes.

To compare allelic frequencies, the investigators include the average of the data coming from more than 2000 individuals with no know thrombophilia cases. In the investigators focus cohort, the investigators have the data of 47 Covid-19 patients in ICU.