ABSTRACT
SARS-CoV-2 infection involves the phase of viral replication and inflammatory response predicting the severity of COVID-19. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between IL-6 and hematological and inflammatory parameters and outcomes of patients with COVID-19. Plasma interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels and other inflammatory and hematological parameters were analyzed in 86 adult patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Kosovo. The median age of patients was 61.50 (49.75-67.25) years. Over half of patients were categorised as severe (58%) and had comorbidities (69%) with hypertension being the most common. The overall mortality rate was 4.7%. The distribution of biochemical parameters across disease severity groups was significantly different for C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cells (WBC), and granulocytes with higher median values in more severe and critically ill patients whereas lower percentage of lymphocytes, monocytes, and platelet count in severe and critically ill patients. IL-6 levels were increased in 63% of patients with significant differences in the distribution across the following groups; age, disease severity, hospitalisation status, pulmonary infiltrates, oxygen therapy, and hypertension status. IL-6 significantly correlated with CRP, LDH, CK, ESR, and percentages of granulocytes. IL-6 and other inflammatory and hematological parameters were strongly associated with disease severity and may predict the outcome of the SARS-CoV-2 infection.
ABSTRACT
Several studies have found an association of COVID-19 disease severity with Vitamin D deficiency and higher levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgGs. The aim of this study was to determine whether levels of Vitamin D and "inflammatory state" influence the magnitude of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgGs levels in COVID-19 patients. For this purpose, in 67 patients levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG were measured in week 4 whereas in 52 patients levels of Vitamin D were measured in week 1 after symptom onset. We found that low Vitamin D levels were significantly associated with age and disease severity whereas there was a trend without significance, towards negative correlation of Vitamin D with anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG were significantly higher in older ages, patients with severe disease, diabetes and those who received corticosteroid and antibiotic therapy. There was a positive correlation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG with IL-6, CRP, LDH, ESR and with percentages of granulocytes. In conclusion, Vitamin D and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG share common parameters associated with inflammatory state. However, even though Vitamin D protects against severe forms of COVID-19 it could not directly affect anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG production.
