Cholesterol Metabolism—Impacts on SARS-CoV-2 Infection Prognosis

Abstract In this study, we specifically addressed the connection between the SARS-CoV-2 virus with host cholesterol metabolism. Plasma lipid profile was measured in 861 COVID-19 patients classified as mild (n=215), moderate (n=364), severe (n=217) or critical (n=65) and 1108 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. We showed that the levels of both TG and HDL-C were significantly lower in patients with severe disease than in patients with moderate or mild disease. After successful treatment, cholesterol metabolism was reestablished in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The serum concentrations of TC and HDL-C can be used as indicators of disease severity and prognosis in COVID-19 patients.