The Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Potential of Cell-Free DNA with a Special Focus on COVID-19 and Other Viral Infections

Affiliation
Department of Genetics and Cytology, Yerevan State University, Alex Manoogian 1, Yerevan 0025, Armenia;(G.H.);(T.H.);(R.A.)
Hovhannisyan, Galina;
ORCID
0000-0002-1613-1019
Affiliation
Department of Genetics and Cytology, Yerevan State University, Alex Manoogian 1, Yerevan 0025, Armenia;(G.H.);(T.H.);(R.A.)
Harutyunyan, Tigran;
Affiliation
Department of Genetics and Cytology, Yerevan State University, Alex Manoogian 1, Yerevan 0025, Armenia;(G.H.);(T.H.);(R.A.)
Aroutiounian, Rouben;
GND
115661239
ORCID
0000-0003-1672-3054
Affiliation
Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Institute of Human Genetics, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
Liehr, Thomas

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in human blood serum, urine, and other body fluids recently became a commonly used diagnostic marker associated with various pathologies. This is because cfDNA enables a much higher sensitivity than standard biochemical parameters. The presence of and/or increased level of cfDNA has been reported for various diseases, including viral infections, including COVID-19. Here, we review cfDNA in general, how it has been identified, where it can derive from, its molecular features, and mechanisms of release and clearance. General suitability of cfDNA for diagnostic questions, possible shortcomings and future directions are discussed, with a special focus on coronavirus infection.

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