SOUTHAMPTON researchers at the forefront of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic have identified a blood test that could help predict which Covid-19 patients are at greatest risk of becoming critically ill.

The new study by the University of Southampton shows that testing for five cytokines, proteins released into the bloodstream following an infection, could help identify those who face life-threatening overstimulation of immune defences due to the disease.

While cytokines help the immune system suppress infection, an overproduction of these proteins can cause hyperinflammation, which can seriously harm or even kill the patient.

The researchers said their work, published in the journal Respiratory Research, could help identify which Covid-19 patients are at greater risk of hyperinflammation, or cytokine storm, and tailor treatments accordingly to modify their immune responses.

The breakthrough was welcomed by Royston Smith, Tory MP for Southampton Itchen.

He said: “At a time when good news is in such short supply Southampton researchers have again given us something to be optimistic about.

“This potential life-saving test could be the game-changer we all so desperately want.

“We can be justly proud of the work being done in our city to battle this awful disease.”

Dr Tristan Clark, of the University of Southampton, who co-led the study, added: “Our findings suggest that testing for both Covid-19 and cytokines at the point-of-care is feasible and in the future may identify infected patients and the most appropriate treatment for them, in near real-time.”

As part of the study, the scientists analysed blood samples from 100 Covid-19 patients between March 20 and April 29 2020. They found that high levels of five cytokines in the patients’ bloodstream were associated with a greater chance of needing intensive care, artificial ventilation and of dying.

The proteins IL-1β and IL-33 showed the biggest effect, the researchers said.

The team hope that by accurately identifying which cytokines are driving hyperinflammation in Covid-19 patients, doctors could target them with cytokine blockers.

Professor Tom Wilkinson, of the University, said: “These findings have identified important signals.”

which will help steer the development of treatment strategies for this new disease.”

It is increasingly apparent that Covid is highly heterogeneous.

“Only by applying these techniques to stratify the condition will we be able to target the key mechanisms of the disease with the best treatment for that individual.”