Covid, in Naples two discoveries open to early diagnosis: kit to measure contagiousness and severity of the disease
Two molecular clues that pave the way for early diagnosis are published in the journals Diagnostics and Scientific Reports and are due to the Covid 19 Task Force of Ceinge-Advanced Biotechnology of Naples, funded by the Campania Region and coordinated by geneticist Massimo Zollo.
Currently, researchers note, early diagnosis of SarsCoV2 infection is not possible. Even when a positive result is obtained from the molecular test, in fact, it is not possible to determine some characteristics, which would instead be very useful and important from an epidemiological point of view. Information, they note, is even more important if the person with the infection has been vaccinated and is fundamental for establishing the therapy.
The first discovery is published in the journal Diagnostics by Ettore Capoluongo and Massimo Zollo, from the Federico II University of Naples and principal investigator of Ceinge, with the support of the Coronet Lab of Ceinge. The result paves the way for the first kit to measure the viral load, that is, the number of copies of the virus's genetic material in a milliliter of biological material collected with the swab. The molecular indicators of the virus's ability to multiply are called sgN and sgE and are a sort of directors of the virus's replication process. Above all, sgN is linked to a greater viral load and infectivity and according to Capoluongo, "it could also prove useful in vaccination strategies".
The test capable of detecting it is ready and “covered by patent”, says the CEO of Ceinge, Mariano Giustino. “We have already initiated contacts – he adds – for the production of a kit for clinical applications”.
The second discovery, which allows us to predict whether the disease will have a serious course by analyzing a blood sample, is published in Scientific Reports by the Ceinge group led by Margherita Ruoppolo and Giuseppe Castaldo, from the Federico II University of Naples. The clue we are looking for in the blood is the family of molecules called ceramides. They are used by the virus to replicate and the Ceinge group has discovered that the level of their concentration reveals whether Covid-19 will take a serious form or not.
“It is possible to think of using these markers to evaluate the efficacy of the therapeutic treatment of coronavirus infection in patients with a severe form,” observes Ruoppolo. “For the various clinical applications of this test,” says Giustino, “we have filed the idea and are awaiting the final patent.” For the president of Ceinge, Pietro Forestieri, the two research studies are “among the most interesting results obtained” by the Ceinge Covid-19 Task Force which “for months, thanks to regional funding, has been working on three fronts: genetics, diagnosis and therapy. We hope,” he concludes, “to be able to count on further funding to complete further extremely promising research.”
Article published on March 5, 2021 - 16pm
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