A systematic review and meta-analysis on blood levels of cytokines/chemokines in COVID-19 cases

ABSTRACT

We assessed the blood levels of the most important factors such as cytokines/chemokines in Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). PubMed/Medline and Scopus as two important databases were searched up to March 26, 2020. To analyze the data, we used Review Manager 5.3 software. Out of forty-two records retrieved from two databases, 10 studies were involved in the analysis. Thirty-three cytokines/chemokines were checked. The levels of 27 cytokines/ chemokines in COVID-19 patients were higher than the healthy controls, and among 20 cytokines/chemokines;the levels of 10 cytokines/chemokines in severe COVID-19 patients were higher than non-severe COVID-19 patients. Also, out of three cytokines, one had a higher level in the intensive care unit (ICU) patients compared to the non-ICU patients. The findings showed the cytokine storm syndrome in COVID-19 patients, especially in patients with severe disease.