Chromatography Identifies Clinical Classifiers of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented struggles across the world due to symptom variability and high spread rate. As COVID-19 continues to surge through the U.S., there is an increasing need for technology that will help us understand viruses like COVID-19 faster.

According to recent studies, chromatography identifies clinical classifiers of COVID-19 by utilizing liquid and gas chromatography. A study published in MedRxiv highlights that using mass spectrometry proteomics with liquid chromatography can identify clinical classifiers of COVID-19 such as symptoms and the level of severity by analyzing blood and plasma serums at a high throughput rate. In this case, liquid chromatography is used to separate proteins from the blood plasma samples to then analyze those present concerning symptoms and severity. This process can be done at the fast rates currently needed due to liquid chromatography’s high throughput rate and because most laboratories are already able to support mass spectrometry. With proper chromatography supplies, including the mentioned Agilent Zorbax HPLC Column, identification for COVID-19 classifiers can be quickly implemented to tackle the pandemic.

Respiratory diseases are a deadly force associated with COVID-19. In conjunction with The University of Michigan and Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity, The United States Air Force has determined that gas chromatography can aid in the diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome or ARDS, which is commonly developed as a result of COVID-19. In a test that mimics a breathalyzer tool, gas chromatography is used to separate the exhaled components of the patient's breath to then analyze and detect the chemical structure of ARDS within the components.

Liquid chromatography can provide crucial information on the diagnosis, symptoms, severity, and progression of COVID-19 at the increased rate we urgently need. Gas chromatography can also play an important role in identifying one of the deadliest symptoms of COVID-19 – ARDS. With chromatography's ability to classify clinical identifiers of COVID-19, this pandemic becomes a more stable, safe, and predictable fight.