Evaluation of clinically relevant serum proteins as biomarkers for monitoring COVID-19 severity, and end-organ damage among hospitalized unvaccinated patients

Abstract

Background The extensive variability and conflicting information in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patient data have made it difficult for the medical community to gain a comprehensive understanding and develop clear, reliable guidelines for managing COVID-19 cases. As the world uncovers the diverse side effects of the pandemic, the pursuit of knowledge about COVID-19 has become crucial. The present study aimed to evaluate some clinically relevant serum proteins, providing analysis of the obtained results to employ them in the diagnosis, prognosis, and disease monitoring among COVID-19 patients. Methods Samples were collected from 262 COVID-19 unvaccinated hospitalized patients. Measurement of certain serum proteins, namely C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, D-dimer, procalcitonin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum creatinine (SCr), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) was done using standard methods. Statistical analysis was performed on the obtained data and the results were correlated to the severity and prognosis. Results The calculated Mortality rate was found to be 30% with a higher percentage observed among females. The results showed elevation in serum CRP, ferritin, D-dimer, and procalcitonin in most of the patients, also some patients had elevated SCr, ALT, and AST levels indicating end-organ damage. The statistical analysis displayed a strong correlation between serum levels of CRP and ferritin, between D-dimer and ferritin, and between ferritin and procalcitonin. No significant difference was observed between male and female patients’ serum levels of the tested serum proteins. A significant correlation between increased serum procalcitonin and mortality was observed. Conclusion The levels of measured serum proteins were impacted by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Serum ferritin, CRP, D-dimer, and procalcitonin are good predicting tools for end-organ damage and acute kidney impairment in COVID-19. Procalcitonin is a strong indicator of severity and mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.