Unveiling COVID-19 Secrets: Harnessing Cytokines As Powerful Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Predicting Severity

Overview

Journal J Inflamm Res

Publisher Dove Medical Press

Date 2023 Dec 18

PMID 38107380

Authors

Blanka Wolszczak-Biedrzycka

Justyna Dorf

Marzena Wojewodzka-Zelezniakowicz

Malgorzata Zendzian-Piotrowska

Violetta Joanna Dymicka-Piekarska

Joanna Matowicka-Karna

Mateusz Maciejczyk

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: In coronavirus disease (COVID-19), inflammation takes center stage, with a cascade of cytokines released, contributing to both inflammation and lung damage. The objective of this study is to identify biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting the severity of COVID-19.

Materials And Methods: Cytokine levels were determined in the serum from venous blood samples collected from 100 patients with COVID-19 and 50 healthy controls. COVID-19 patients classified based on the Modified Early Warning (MEWS) score. Cytokine concentrations were determined with a multiplex ELISA kit (Bio-Plex Pro™ Human Cytokine Screening Panel).

Results: The concentrations of all analyzed cytokines were elevated in the serum of COVID-19 patients relative to the control group, but no significant differences were observed in interleukin-9 (IL-9) and IL-12 p70 levels. In addition, the concentrations of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-2Rα, IL-6, IL-12 p40, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) were significantly higher in symptomatic patients with accompanying pneumonia without respiratory failure (stage 2) than in asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic patients (stage 1).

Conclusion: The study revealed that IL-1ra, IL-2Rα, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 p40, IL-16, and IL-18 levels serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers in COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, elevated IL-1α levels proved to be valuable in assessing the severity of COVID-19.

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