They found higher plasma syndecan-1 levels in patients with severe COVID-19 (148.5 [103.3–203.3] ng/ml) compared to mild COVID-19 cases (63.8 [49.0–138.6] ng/ml; P < 0.05) and healthy control subjects (48.0 [44.9–73.3] ng/ml; P < 0.005). The gene discussed is SDC1; the disease is COVID-19.