Serum levels of auto-antibodies (rheumatoid factor and anti-double stranded DNA) in Nigerian COVID-19 patients as predictions of developing future autoimmune disorders

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> Background A deeper knowledge of the roles played by severe, acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the development of autoantibodies is vital to understand the relationship between COVID-19, autoimmune disorders and proper management of the two diseases. Therefore, serum levels of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-double stranded DNA antibody (dsDNA ab) which are important factors of autoimmune disorders were determined in COVID-19 patients and apparently healthy control. Methods Serum levels of rheumatoid factor were determined using turbidimetric immunoassay. Serum anti-dsDNA antibody levels were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in both COVID-19 patients and healthy controls. Results Serum levels of RF and anti-dsDNA ab were similar in COVID-19 patients compared with controls. A significant positive correlation was observed between RF and anti-dsDNA ab in healthy controls. The correlation between RF and anti-dsDNA ab in COVID-19 patients was not significant. Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 infection did not have a profound effect on serum RF and anti-dsDNA ab levels in these infected individuals. Therefore, autoimmune disorders are not implicated in these COVID-19 patients and that the use of therapeutic antagonists to auto-antibodies may not be useful in the management of COVID patients, since they may not develop COVID-19 based autoimmune disorder.