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Introduction: IL-6 is the key molecule of cytokine storm in COVID-19. Dyslipidemia is a common complication in patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but the association of dyslipidemia with the severity of COVID-19 is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the biochemical alterations of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C), and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in COVID-19 patients and their relationships with the disease severity. Material(s) and Method(s): We conducted a retrospective single-institutional study of 99 consecutive confirmed cases of COVID-19. Serum IL-6 and HDL-C concentrations, demographic and clinical profile were collected during hospital stay. Duration of study was from September 2020 to August 2021. Descriptive statistics were applied to summarize the demographic data. Results are reported as mean with standard deviation. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was used to compare biochemical markers. Result(s): Serum HDL-C levels had a significant positive correlation with SpO2 with correlation coefficient r = 0.589. Serum IL-6 had a negative correlation with SpO2 with correlation coefficient r =-0.632. The AUC for IL6 and HDL-C in predicting COVID severity is 0.982 and 0.985 respectively. Conclusion(s): HDL-C is decreased and IL-6 is increased with the disease severity.Copyright © 2023, Dr Yashwant Research Labs Pvt Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Aim: This study aimed to compare clinical data and laboratory results in patients examined for suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) in the emergency department based on three groups: patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), patients with PE and patients with both COVID-19 and PE. Material(s) and Method(s): This retrospective study was approved by the local ethics committee of the university. Patients included in the study were divided into three groups: Group 1, consisting of COVID-19-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (negative) and PE (positive) patients;Group 2, consisting of COVID-19-PCR (positive) and PE (negative) patients, and Group 3, consisting of COVID-19-PCR (positive) and PE (positive) patients. Result(s): The three patient groups included in the study had no difference in terms of age (p = 0.916) or sex. The laboratory results of the groups were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test, which showed significant differences in the levels of white blood cells (p = 0.005), lymphocytes (p < 0.001), neutrophils (p = 0.016), D-Dimer (p < 0.001) and lactate (p = 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis with a cut-off value of >2590 for D-Dimer showed 71.43% specificity and 78% sensitivity in differentiating Group 1 from Group 2, and with a cut-off value of >3640, it had 80% specificity and 81.82% sensitivity in differentiating Group 3 from Group 2. Discussion(s): COVID-19 leads to increased incidence of PE. In addition to clinical data, D-Dimer and lactate levels can be used in the differentiation of these patients.Copyright © 2022, Derman Medical Publishing. All rights reserved.
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Aim: Recent research have shown that immature granulocytes (IG) can be utilized to predict severe infection, inflammation, and sepsis. As a result, the ability of IG levels to predict the severity of severe COVID-19 and its association with prognosis were studied in our study. Material and Mthods: A total of 317 patients diagnosed with severe COVID-19 in the emergency department were analyzed retrospectively. IGC and IG% levels were compared statistically between patient groups (survivors and non-survivors, those who received and did not get mechanical ventilation (MV) assistance, patients who required and did not require vasopressors, and hospital stays >=10 and <10 days). Result(s): When compared to patients who survived but did not get treatment, non-survivors who got MV and vasopressor support had substantially higher IGC and IG% values (for all p<0.001). Additionally, it was shown that the IG% of patients with hospital stays of >=10 days was substantially greater than that of patients with hospital stays of <10 days (p<0.001). While the IG% cut-off value was >0.45, it reached 75.5% sensitivity, 81.9% specificity, 87.6% NPV and 66.4% PPV for predicting mortality (AUC:0.86, p<0.001). Discussion(s): IG levels are a low-cost, easily accessible, and strong marker that may be used to predict mortality and prognosis in COVID-19 patients.Copyright © 2023, Derman Medical Publishing. All rights reserved.
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Background: In this study, we aimed to investigate the pathological alterations of LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides in COVID-19 patients during the acute phase of infection, and after recovery. Method(s): A retrospective study was performed to examine serum levels of LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides on 55 COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized in our center between February and April 2020. The lipid profile and the hematological parameters were analyzed in the same group of patients before (Group before) and after clinical management (Group after). The laboratory tests results were compared between these two groups, as well as with a group of healthy subjects (Healthy controls), matched for age and sex and selected among the blood donors. Result(s): LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol levels were significantly lower in COVID-19 patients (Group before) as compared with normal subjects (P<0.0001). Comparing healthy controls and the group after, statistically significant differences were observed for all parameters except for total cholesterol (P=0.9006). Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride were found to be significantly higher after recovery than during the acute phase of infection (P<0.0001). C-reactive protein levels were found to be inversely correlated with those of LDL-cholesterol (rs =-0573, P<0.0001), total cholesterol (r=-0.732, P<0.0001), and HDL-cholesterol (r=-0.700, P<0.0001). Conclusion(s): The results of our study seemingly attest that lipids, especially cholesterol, may play an important role in viral replication, internalization and immune activation in patients with COVID-19 infection. Moreover, lipid abnormalities observed during and after this infection could be used for assessing indirectly the response to clinical treatment.Copyright © Journal of Laboratory and Precision Medicine. All rights reserved.
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Objectives: For a definitive diagnosis of COVID-19, respiratory tract samples are evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In our study, PCR using a tear sample was used to diagnose COVID-19, and it was questioned whether it was a screening method. Unlike the general practice, Schirmer strips were used instead of a swab for tear sample collection in this study. In addition, the diagnostic values of serum procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Neutrophil (NEU) count in predicting COVID-19 disease from tears were also questioned. Method(s): A total of 94 patients who were positive for COVID-19 by PCR test were included in this study. Tear samples were obtained from patients with Schirmer strips, commonly used in eye examination, and studied with the PCR technique. CRP, PCT value, and NEU count were also compared between the positive and negative groups of the PCR. The obtained data were analyzed using the R Studio software, and the results were considered statistically significant for p<0.05. Result(s): Of these patients, 61 (64.9%) tear PCR was negative, and 33 (35.1%) tear PCR was positive. The mean age was 61.72 +/- 17.62 years. The patients were divided into two groups: tear PCR positive and negative. There was no significant age difference between these groups. As a result of ROC Analysis;When serum PCT, CRP, and NEU % values were examined in predicting COVID-19 disease from tears, it was seen that CRP (p=0.027) and especially PCT (p=0.003) values of patients with PCR-positive were significantly higher. Conclusion(s): PCR study on tears collected with Schirmer strips is a different and non-invasive method, but it was concluded that the proposed method could not be used as a screening test. In addition, significantly higher serum PCT values were found in patients with COVID-19 positivity in tears (p<0.05). Copyright © 2022 the author(s), published by De Gruyter.
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Objectives: The aim is to investigate the usefulness of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)/Albumin, LDH/Lymphocyte and LDH/Platelet ratios on the prognosis of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant pneumonia. Method(s): A total of 113 patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia and 60 healthy control group were included in this study. The cases were divided into 2 as classic COVID-19 group, and COVID-19 B.1.1.7 variant group. Complete blood count (CBC) and biochemical parameters of the patients were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with COVID-19 B.1.1.7 variant group were also grouped according to the length of stay in the hospital and the days of hospitalization. Result(s): LDH/Albumin, LDH/Platelet, and LDH/Lymphocyte ratios were found to be higher in COVID-19 B.1.1.7 variant group when compared to the control group (p<0.001). The ferritin, neutrophils/lymphocyte (NLR) ratio, procalcitonin (PCT) and LDH/Albumin had the highest area under the curve (AUC) values in the COVID-19 B.1.1.7 variant group (0.950, 0.802, 0.759, and 0.742, respectively). Albumin, Lymphocytes and hemoglobin values were significantly higher in the COVID-19 B.1.1.7 variant group than in the classic COVID-19 group (p<0.05). Conclusion(s): LDH/Albumin and LDH/Lymphocyte ratios may be useful for clinicians in predicting the risk of progression to pneumonia in COVID-19 B.1.1.7 variant patients. Copyright © 2022 the author(s), published by De Gruyter.
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Background: COVID has caused a worldwide pandemic and brought the countries to a halt. It is not only a disease of the respiratory system but the entire body. RT-PCR remains the main stay of diagnosis for COVID, limited study has been done in terms of usability of cycle threshold (CT) values for understanding the severity of the disease. This study was done to find association between CT values, clinical features and biomarkers Material(s) and Method(s): this is an observational study done between November 2022 to October 2022. A total of 200 cases were studied. RT-PCR was performed using Quant studio 12K flex system. Biomarker estimation was done on Architect c8000 Results: A total of 200 cases studied. 43.28% cases had low CT value in E gene and 40.79% cases in RdRp gene. The predominant symptom noted in our study is breathlessness. No statistical correlation was made between CT values and clinical symptoms and also no statistical correlation was made between biomarkers. Conclusion(s): COVID RT-PCR is the gold standard diagnostic method but the viral load cannot be used as a prognostic marker because the sample collection technique is not standardised across the board and also the quantity of sample obtained during nasopharyngeal swabbing varies. Further studies and establishment of standardised protocols can bring about a usability for the CT values. Copyright © 2022 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.
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In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the relationship between the clinical course of the disease and hematological data, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D), iron (Fe), free iron-binding capacity (UIBC), and D-dimer levels in calves with diarrhea in the neonatal period. Within the scope of the study, 10 healthy calves (group-I) and 30 diarrheal calves in the neonatal period of different races, ages and genders were used. Calves with diarrhea were divided into mild (group-II, n=10), moderate (group-III, n=10) and severe (group-IV, n=10) groups. Blood samples were taken from calves in all groups at once. Hematological analyzes were performed using a veterinary-specific hematology analyzer device. In serum samples, 25 (OH) D3, Fe and UIBC levels were determined with an autoanalyzer, and D-dimer levels were determined with an automatic immunoassay analyzer. In the hematological analysis, an increase was observed in the number of LYMs (lymphocytes) in group-II (5.04±1.3) and III (5.2±3.3) compared to group-I (4.47±1.2), and a decrease was observed in group IV (2.76±0.9) (P<0.05). Fe levels in group-II (59±56), group III (56±52) and group IV (72±63) were found to be decreased compared to group-I (131±66) (P<0.05). It was determined that the 25 (OH) D3 level of group IV (13.4±8.5) was higher than that of group-I (6.12±2.73) (P<0.05). D-dimer levels of group-III (1.15±1.13) and group-IV (0.96±0.88) were found to be higher than group-I (0.10±1.46) (P<0.05).
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BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has various symptoms ranging from mild to critical. Hypercoagulation state is often observed in severe and critical COVID-19. Both coagulation and inflammation are interrelated and amplifying each other, with protein C and antithrombin (AT) III as two important mediators. AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the association between protein C and AT III levels with the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. METHODS: This analytical study was conducted at Haji Adam Malik Hospital from April to July 2021. Subjects were obtained by consecutive sampling method. Inclusion criteria were patients with confirmed COVID-19 using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and willing to participate. Subjects were divided into two groups: Mild-moderate and severe-critical symptom groups. Demographic and blood sample was obtained from each subject. Blood samples underwent examination for leukocyte, thrombocyte, PT, aPTT, protein C, and AT III. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were obtained with female domination (58%) and mean age of 41.44 (standard deviation 20.90) years. Most subjects (86%) were in mild-to-moderate symptom group. There were significant differences in the level of protein C and AT III in both group (p = 0.029 and 0.034, respectively). Using the cutoff value for AT III of 45.6%, subjects who had mediator level below the value tend to develop severe and critical symptoms compared to their counterparts (odds ratio = 6.458). CONCLUSION: AT III is associated with severity of COVID-19 symptoms. Lower AT III level increases the risk for developing severe and critical symptoms.
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Objective: Smoking, and also water pipe smoking (hookah), is a common method of tobacco use in Southwest Asia and Middle East countries. Although the relationship between coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection and smoking has been evaluated in many studies, no study has been conducted to evaluate the relationship between COVID-19 infection and water pipe smoking. Methods: We enrolled 150 in-hospital patients. The severity of disease classified as mild, moderate, severe, and critically ill. The relationship between waterpipe smoker, smoker and non-smoker patients and severity of disease statistically evaluated. Results: Patients with minimal involvement (1-25%) on thorax computed tomography were found to be higher in the smoker and cigarette-hookah smoking group compared to the non-smoking group, and the patients with moderate involvement (51-75%) were found to be less in the smoking-hookah group. in terms of disease degree;It was found that there were more mild and moderate smokers in the smoking and smoking-hookah group than the non-smoking group. The C-reactive protein and sedimentation values of cigarette-waterpipe tabocco smokers were found to be lower than non-smokers. Conclusion: Waterpipe smoking does not aggravate the course of the disease in the young population, but new studies are needed for its effects on the elderly population.
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Background:The outbreak of COVID -19 which started in late 2019 has rapidly reached a pandemic status all over the world. India being one of the most affected countries has borne the brunt of this infection. Though Viral RNA detection by RT- PCR is considered the gold standard for confirming the infection, yet false-negative RT- PCR rates are noted at about 15 %. We know the role of biomarkers and their significance in SARS – COV 2 infection. The utility of biomarkers in RT-PCR negative patients is studied here Methods:The study was conducted in the Microbiology department, Central Diagnostic Laboratory at Kurnool Govern- ment Medical College. We retrospectively analyzed biomarkers of 100 clinically suspected COVID 19 patients with sig- nificant changes in chest CT (CORADS score 4 or 5) who had undergone RT- PCR test from JULY to October 2020. Out of 100 patients, 50 were RT- PCR positive and 50 were RT-PCR negative. The RT- PCR analysis was performed by using the Biorad CFX96 machine and Allplex™ 2019-nCoV Assay kits. The Biomarkers CRP, D- Dimer, and LDH were analyzed by clinical chemistry analyzer, Pentra C 200 Results:Among 50 RT- PCR positive patients, 43 (86%) showed an increase in CRP, 46 (92%) showed an increase in D- Dimer, and 47 (94%) showed an increase in LDH. Out of 50 RT-PCR negative patients, 32(64%) showed an increase in CRP, 42 (84%) in D- Dimer, and 45(90%) in LDH. Conclusions:This study demonstrates that biological markers not only aid in identifying RT- PCR negative cases but also play an equally important role like other diagnostic COVID -19 tests in identifying and cautioning the doctor of the im- pending severity of the disease
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Introduction: The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic started in Wuhan city, China in December 2019 and now the infection has a high prevalence worldwide and the pandemic is still ongoing. Symptomatic patients with COVID-19 typically complain of fever and respiratory, as well as gastrointestinal symptoms. It is known that human coronaviruses and particularly severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) are neuroinvasive and neurotropic. There is growing evidence of various neurological complications and manifestations of COVID-19 infection. Neurological symptoms may range from mild, non-specific pre-sentations such as headache to severe complications both in the central or peripheral nervous system. Even rare neurological disorders can occur during or after this infection. Case presentation: We report a case of a 65-year-old female with COVID-19 infection, who also developed left ophthalmoparesis with two cranial nerve palsies, which further was concluded to be a probable Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, an association not yet been described in the literature. The decision was made to treat with glucocorticosteroids, followed by dramatic relief of pain (which also speaks in favor of the diagnosis). Conclusion This report describes an interesting case of probable Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, a rare peripheral nervous system involvement syndrome, co-occurred with COVID-19 infection. Whether this was just a co-occurrence or the inflammation was triggered by a SARS-CoV-2 in-fection, is still a question to be discussed. The possible causal link between these two conditions may help to understand both conditions better.