A study on SARS-CoV-2 infected patients with measured serum zinc levels during home care

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and causing pandemics around the world. Zinc is an essential trace element and important for maintaining immune function. Serum zinc level has been reported to be low in severe cases of COVID-19.
Patients and methods: Patients who were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection were requested to be examined by our hospital while waiting at home were included. Medical history was heard, body temperature and blood oxygen saturation was measured, blood was collected, and lung CT examination was performed.
Results: The mean age of 102 patients was 39.7 y/o. There were no cases of fever with a body temperature of 37.5 ℃ or higher. Mean serum zinc level was 79.1μg/dL. Comparing serum zinc levels with healthy individuals by age, the serum zinc levels were significantly lower in COVID-19 cases over 50 y/o. Pneumonia findings was found in 54 cases (52.9%). Patients with pneumonia were significantly older than those without pneumonia (48.3 vs 30.1 y/o). Serum zinc levels were significantly lower in patients with pneumonia than in patients without pneumonia (75.5 vs 83.2 μg/dL). Dysosmia and dysgeusia were seen in 36 cases (35.3%). There were significantly younger ages compared to those without dysosmia and dysgeusia (34.4 vs 42.6 y/o). There was no difference in serum zinc levels depending on the presence of dysosmia or dysgeusia.
Conclusion: Serum zinc levels were involved in the development of SARS-CoV-2 infection and pneumonia. The onset of dysosmia or dysgeusia was not associated with serum zinc levels.

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