ABSTRACT
Background: COVID-19 has spread rapidly around the world. It is necessary to study lung tissue of postmortem COVID19 patients to determine the molecular alteration particularly the role of IL-6 and IL-17 in causing fatality. Background: This study aims to determine the differences in the expressions of IL-6 and IL-17 in lung tissue of post-mortem COVID-19 patients compared to non-COVID-19 patients. This study also aimed to analyze the correlation between the expressions of IL-6 and IL-17 in lung tissue of post-mortem COVID-19 patients. Methods: This research is an observational analytic study with crosssectional approach. The samples were 15 paraffin blocks of post-mortem lung tissue biopsy of COVID-19 patients, and 15 paraffin blocks of inflammatory lung tissue biopsy or surgery of non-COVID-19 patients. IL-6 and IL-17 expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemical procedure. Result: There was a significant difference in the expression of IL-6 in the COVID-19 group and the non-COVID-19 group with a p-value = 0.001 (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the expression of IL-17 in the COVID-19 group and the non-COVID-19 group with p-value = 0.001 (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between the expressions of IL-6 and IL-17 in the COVID-19 group, with the Spearman coefficient value (rs) of 0.548 with p = 0.034 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: There are differences in the expression of IL-6 and IL-17 between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 lung tissue. There is a significant correlation between the expressions of IL-6 and IL-17 in post-mortem lung tissue of COVID-19 patients.
ABSTRACT
Background: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) presents as a result of catecholamine surge. There are increase of TC among COVID-19 patients, which is induced by cytokine storm. TC is previously known as a self-limiting and benign cardiac manifestation, but it has been uncovered that TC can be associated with fatal cardiac outcome due to cardiogenic shock and life-threatening arrhythmia. Clinical Presentation: A 54-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with a fever since 9 days before admission accompanied by DOE, PND, and fatigue that worsened since 5 days before admission. Fifteen days before her complaints, she experience bereavement from his son death from motorcycle accident. She was referred from regional hospitals due to respiratory failure necessitating ventilator support. Physical examination revealed normal blood pressure and desaturation. ECG shows tachycardia with global ST-elevation. CXR shows cardiomegaly (CTR 62%) and pneumonia. The laboratory demonstrated increased Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), C-Reactive Protein, Troponin, and positive PCR COVID-19 swab. An echocardiography presented regional wall motion abnormality with apical ballooning appearance and reduced systolic function with LVEF of 51% resembling Takutsubo cardiomyopathy. Despite maximal ventilatory and pharmacology, she experienced malignant ventricular tachycardia not responding to defibrillation and expired in only 6 hours Discussion: The presence of cardiac arrhythmia followed by cardiac arrest in COVID-19 patient complicated by TC can be a direct effect of catecholamine surge and myocardial injury or indirect effect from QT-prolongation and inflammatory process. Concurrent COVID-19 pneumonia and TC may progress with dismal prognosis, so that in need of prompt referral system.