Diagnostic value of certain pro-inflammatory markers of coronavirus infection depending on the nature of the lung tissue damage

Summary. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused a global health problem. COVID -19 often provokes an inadequate and excessive immune response, leading to the development of a "cytokine storm". The aim of the study – to investigate the level of IL-6 and LTB4 in patients with coronavirus infection depending on the nature of lung tissue damage. Materials and Methods. 49 people with COVID-19 aged (60.0±8.8) years, who were treated at Lviv Emergency Hospital were examined. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 – patients with COVID-19 and interstitial lower lobe pneumonia; group 2 – persons with COVID-19 and interstitial polysegmental pneumonia. In all patients, the concomitant pathology was hypertension, and overweight or obesity. All individuals underwent blood test, biochemical blood test, which included glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (ACT), creatinine (with calculating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) according to the formula 2021 CKD-EPI Creatinine), urea, ferritin, C – reactive protein (CRP), and fibrinogen. LTB4 and serum IL-6 were determined by ELISA method. Results. Twenty-five patients with COVID-19 and lower lobe pneumonia aged (59.0±9.0) years were included in group 1; while group 2 included 24 individuals with COVID-19 and polysegmental pneumonia aged (58.4±8.8) years. Elevated levels of ESR, glucose, fibrinogen, CRP, ferritin, and LTB4 (p <0.01) were observed in patients of the two groups. Elevated levels of inflammatory mediators, namely LTB4 and IL-6, are likely to indicate the development of a cytokine storm in individuals with group 2 with polysegmental pneumonia in COVID-19. Conclusions. Patients with polysegmental coronavirus pneumonia have significantly higher LTB4 levels than those with COVID-19 and lower lobe pneumonia. Further study of pro-inflammatory mediators will improve the treatment strategy of this pathology, particularly in persons with comorbid pathology and risk factors for a more severe course of COVID-19

coronavirus disease, COVID-19, IL-6

https://doi.org/10.11603/bmbr.2706-6290.2022.2.13065

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