Considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing biomarkers that can predict the severity and prognosis of the disease is essential to reduce the mortality caused by SARS-CoV-2. Considering that circulating microRNAs can serve as non-invasive markers of viral diseases, the aim of the study is to validate the biomarker potential of a microRNA specific to the virus, in order to predict the course of the disease and consequently reduce the mortality rate.

The objectives of the project focus on replicating in our Caucasian cohort previous findings which are currently under review in "The New England Journal of Medicine", where the existence of a miRNA-like small RNA encoded by SARS-CoV-2 has been reported to have the ability to distinguish patients according to the disease prognosis.

Replicating the findings of the Chinese population in our Caucasian cohort will establish a new tool for predicting the severity of the disease, providing an appropriate patient stratification according to the disease progression and severity.