WEAR-4-postCOVaID Project

Post-COVID-19 condition is characterized by a wide range of symptoms that may last more than 24 weeks after the onset of the infection, with high socio-economic impact. According to WHO, research on predictors for post-COVID-19 condition is of paramount importance to provide new strategies for minimizing SARS-CoV-2 post-infection consequences.

The theme of WEAR-4-postCOVaID is very important, aiming for the validation of a panel of different types of biomarkers: interleukin 6, tumour necrosis factor-α, cortisol and kynurenic acid that can be used to early predict medical complications and to monitor patients’ rehabilitation after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The purpose of WEAR-4-postCOVaID is to develop a device for the rapid detection of biomarkers expressed in post-COVID-19 syndrome as a tool for medical staff for easier diagnosis and monitoring of patients. Deepening the knowledge about post-COVID-19 condition (1) and finding the interconnection between biomarkers levels in different body fluids and the main symptoms of this medical condition (2) are the goals of the project with specific and interconnected objectives.

The originality of the project consists in the elaboration of innovative electrochemical sensors for the salivary detection of the four biomarkers, the correlation between the levels of the biomarkers (IL-6 and cortisol) in saliva and sweat, and the development of a dual wearable sensor for monitoring their levels in sweat with biomedical applications.