Sign in Subscribe
Diseases

Autoantibodies Linked to COVID-19 Severity and Mortality

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research have discovered that autoantibodies, specifically targeting type I interferons, are a key feature in severe COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The study found that hospitalized patients had significantly higher levels of autoantibodies targeting various proteins, including ACE2, MPO, IFNO, IFNa1, and IFNa2, compared to non-hospitalized individuals and healthy controls. The research also showed that elevated type I IFN autoantibodies were associated with reduced survival rates.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed autoantibody profiles in 435 PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients in Manaus, Brazil, comparing hospitalized (263) and non-hospitalized (172) individuals, and 37 healthy controls.
  • Twenty autoantibodies and SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA/IgG antibodies were measured using multiplex Luminex assays from plasma samples collected on days 1, 7, 14, and 28.
  • Hospitalized patients had significantly higher levels of autoantibodies targeting ACE2, MPO, IFNO, IFNa1, and IFNa2 at baseline, with 127 hospitalized patients positive for IFNa1, 161 for IFNa2, and 68 for IFNO.
  • Longitudinal analysis revealed progressively increasing levels of anti-ACE2, B2G1, C1q, IFNa1, IFNa2, PADI4, PF4, and PR3 autoantibodies in hospitalized patients.
  • Survival analysis showed that elevated type I IFN autoantibodies correlated with reduced survival (p=0.023).
  • Stronger correlations between autoantibodies and SARS-CoV-2 IgA/IgG were found in severe cases.
  • Autoantibodies were linked to COVID-19 severity and mortality, indicating their potential as biomarkers for patient risk stratification and therapeutic targets.

Statistics:

  • 435 patients were analyzed in the study, with 263 hospitalized and 172 non-hospitalized.
  • 127 hospitalized patients were positive for IFNa1.
  • 161 hospitalized patients were positive for IFNa2.
  • 68 hospitalized patients were positive for IFNO.
  • 127 hospitalized patients had reduced survival rates due to elevated type I IFN autoantibodies (p=0.023).

Sources:

  • Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
  • The Journal of Infectious Diseases (2025)
  • NewsRx. Study Results from Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Update Understanding of COVID-19 (Autoantibodies against type I interferons are a prominent feature in SARS-CoV-2 fatal disease and hospitalization). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. October 26, 2025; p 264.

Read more