An independent, publicly available dataset utilizing proximity-extension assays in plasma (Olink Explore 1536, n = 264 survivors, n = 42 non-survivors, Fig. 4a, Supplementary Table 5)38 also confirmed the lack of outcome association for three other proteins identified as markers of COVID-19 severity in previous proteomics studies19,20: lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, CD14, and inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H3 (ITIH3) (Fig. 3c). This evidence concerns the gene LBP and COVID-19.