<b>The micro-RNA expression profile predicts the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection.</b>

The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to determine miRNAs which might be predictive for the admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). We analyzed blood samples from 210 COVID-19 patients and the control group consisted of 80 healthy individuals. Results revealed the miRNA expression pattern has the potential to predict the severity of COVID-19, reflecting the clinical symptoms of the infection, such as the need for oxygen therapy and concomitant pneumonia. In particular, low expression of miRNAs h106a-5p, h17-5p, h181a-5p, h191-5p, h20a-5p and h451a, especially in the initial phase of the disease, is associated with an unfavorable clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection (admission to the ICU).