Specimens were then centrifuged at 4000 rpm for six minutes, and plasma viscosity analysis was performed at room temperature using the BV200 Clinical Viscometer (Benson Viscometers Ltd). Whole blood specimens anticoagulated in EDTA were also taken at the same time as part of a standard laboratory assessment panel.Īn FBC was performed using an ADVIA 2120i (Siemens Healthcare Ltd) analyser. Patients were admitted at Addenbrooke's Hospital (Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) with symptoms suggestive of COVID‐19 and were subsequently confirmed for the presence or absence of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA using reverse transcription (RT)‐PCR of upper respiratory swabs. It is frequently performed alongside a routine full blood count (FBC) without the need for taking an additional blood sample. The measurement of plasma viscosity is a cheap and reliable test already available in many haematology laboratories. Indeed, a plasma viscosity result above the identified cut‐off is shown to have good correlation with disease progression. Whilst a physiological change in the concentration of acute‐phase proteins with a consequent increase in plasma viscosity would be expected in this condition, this study demonstrates that this is statistically significant. It has shown to be significantly increased compared with those testing negative for COVID‐19 and above that expected with viral infections.

Plasma viscosity is often regarded as an alternative to the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C‐reactive protein.

Here, we describe the first prospective evaluation of the diagnostic potential of using plasma viscosity testing for patients with suspected COVID‐19. 3, 4 A large diversity of symptoms and outcomes has been seen, but there is at present no specific blood test for early detection or indication of progression severity. It has been reported that approximately 20% of COVID‐19–positive patients are asymptomatic, 14% develop severe symptoms, which require medical intervention, and 5% require critical care. 2 The symptoms are variable ranging from a cough, pyrexia, and loss of taste and/or smell to more severe respiratory disorders, cytokine storms, microclot formation and multi‐organ failure, up to fourteen days after exposure to the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared this a public health emergency of international concern due to the global pandemic of unprecedented proportion that has been implicated in over 2 million deaths worldwide. 1 The disease that is consequently attributed to this is now commonly known as COVID‐19.

It was determined that the causative pathogen was a novel coronavirus termed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). An unusual cluster of patients suffering from a pneumonia‐inducing condition was first reported within Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, in late December 2019.

At home viscosity test