Autoantibodies against blood clotting protein may determine COVID-19 severity

A study published in Scientific Reports found that autoantibodies against the blood clotting protein ADAMTS13 were observed in nearly one-third of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, indicating a potential role in disease severity. These autoantibodies, along with increased levels of von Willibrand factor (VWF), contributed to a decreased ADAMTS13/VWF ratio, which is associated with COVID-19 severity. The study suggests that measuring ADAMTS13 autoantibody levels could be useful in predicting the severity of COVID-19. Plasma exchange therapy was also found to restore the balance between VWF and ADAMTS13, providing a potential treatment option for severe COVID-19 cases.