Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS), also known as “long COVID,” is a condition experienced by some patients following SARS-CoV-2 infection, in which COVID-19 symptoms persist for several weeks or even months following the initial acute stage of the disease. Research into PACS risk factors, treatment strategies and recovery is still in the early stages and the causes and mechanisms of this condition are still not fully understood. Recently, the Australian National Phenome Centre (ANPC) at Murdoch University partnered with Bruker Corporation to launch a new nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based assessment tool to enable molecular phenomics research into “long COVID,” based on a multiplexed combination of biomarkers discovered at ANPC.
The PhenoRisk PACS RuO research-only NMR test is a rapid 20-minute blood test utilizing metabolic and proteomic biomarkers of SARS-CoV-2 pathobiology, composite signals for groups of glycoproteins and phospholipids, and the NMR Supramolecular Composite (SPC) Marker discovered by a research team led by ANPC Director Jeremy Nicholson. The test enables researchers to distinguish individuals with PACS from healthy and fully recovered individuals by studying COVID-19-triggered pheno-conversion, defined as a transient or persistent systemic change of the molecular signatures in human plasma samples after acute infection, according to Bruker. Subsequent pheno-reversion of metabolic signatures detected by PhenoRisk PACS RuO may indicate PACS recovery. The test is automated and standardized across the Bruker Avance IVDr NMR system, allowing researchers to measure the health profiles of those affected.
The PhenoRisk PACS RuO tests several biological mechanisms of action simultaneously in a rapid test, enabling research into multi-organ risk assessment and therapeutic strategies, as well as longitudinal recovery monitoring. The tool can provide researchers with specific information about the risks of secondary organ damage including those associated with cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, kidney dysfunction and hyper-inflammation, said Nicholson. Currently, ANPC researchers are using the test to assess multiple biological mechanisms of action with the aim to provide actionable information for suitable intervention that can help PACS patients accelerate their recovery.
“This tool will allow researchers to explore the molecular and biochemical basis of this complex disease and enable us to determine both the long term and persistent impacts of COVID-19,” said Nicholson.
“We are very excited to provide this multi-organ PACS risk screen to the clinical and pharmaceutical research community, after the preliminary validation by our partners in the International COVID-19 Research Network,” added Iris Mangelschots, president of Bruker BioSpin’s Applied, Industrial and Clinical Division. “We believe that PhenoRisk PACS RuO could make a significant contribution in research to combat the effects of Long COVID.”