Scientists have developed a rapid blood test that can predict within a day of hospitalization which patients with COVID-19 have the highest risk of severe complications or death. This could help identify the patients who may best benefit from specific investigational treatments.

The test measures the levels of mitochondrial DNA. Researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine at St. Louis in the US stated that mitochondrial DNA spilling out of cells and into the blood stream is an indicator that violent cell death is taking place in the body. The scientists believe that the new test could help predict disease severity and serve as a potential tool to better design clinical trials. The findings are published in the journal JCI Insight… (ET Healthworld – PTI, January 16, 2021)