Comparison Study of the Inflammatory Biomarkers and Cytokine Levels in COVID-19 Patients

Abstract

Background: ACOVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, presents with varying severity, from mild symptoms to severe disease, including ARDS and multi-organ failure. Identifying early biochemical markers to predict the severity of COVID-19 is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Aims and Objectives: The study aimed to identify distinct patient groups with COVID-19 and healthy controls using cluster analysis of multiple biomarkers. Specifically, it sought to determine if early detected levels of ferritin, D-dimer, and C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with the severity of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: Biochemical profiles of sixty patients with SARS-CoV-2 RNA-positive testing and thirty healthy controls were collected and analyzed. Two-dimensional automated hierarchy clustering was performed on all biomarkers. The study focused on alterations in the biochemistry markers ferritin, D-dimer, and CRP. Additionally, levels of inflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, were measured. Results: Ferritin, D-dimer, and CRP levels were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients compared to the control group. Early detected levels of these biomarkers were associated with a higher incidence of severe COVID-19. Elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, especially interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, were also observed in COVID-19 patients, indicating the presence of a cytokine storm, which is a major cause of organ dysfunction and mortality in severe cases. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that elevated levels of ferritin, D-dimer, and CRP are indicative of severe COVID-19. Early detection of these biomarkers can help predict the severity of the infection and guide clinical management. The study also underscores the significant role of inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, contributing to the understanding of the cytokine storm that leads to severe disease outcomes.