Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Certain Cytokines Not Associated with Severity of COVID-19 Symptoms

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 24 Jun 2020
The pandemic outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is sharply spreading all over the world. More...
The severity of a viral disease usually is positive association with immune-mediated inflammatory responses. The aggressive and persistent inflammatory response leads to high risk of multiorgan failure and death.

The overproduction inflammatory cytokines results in cytokine storm. Cytokine storm indicates excessive release of pro-inflammatory cytokines including C-reactive protein (CRP) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, TNF-α, IFN-γ). There is a body of evidences suggests that severe COVID-19 patients have cytokine storm.

Scientists at the Harbin Medical University (Harbin, China) and their colleagues studied patients aged 39 to 85 years old, who were confirmed to be SARS-CoV-2 positive via nasopharyngeal swabs. Further, clinical characteristics and chest CT scans indicated that these patients had severe COVID-19. All patients were admitted in ICU with hypoxemic respiratory failure. Of these patients, five (20%) had hypertension and five (20%) had diabetes. All 25 patients were discharged from the ICU to the hospital ward before being discharged home.

The scientists analyzed serum inflammatory cytokines and immune cells in these patients and found that CRP (range: 0.499-9.75 mg/L; reference value: 0-10 mg/L), IL-2 (range: 0.67-2.59 pg/L; reference value: 0.08-5.71 pg/mL), IL-4 (range: 0-2.27 pg/L; reference value: 0.1-2.8 pg/L), TNF-α (range: 0-1.86 pg/L; reference value: 0.1-2.31 pg/L) and IFN-γ (range: 0.51-3.24 pg/L; reference value: 0.16-7.42 pg/L) were in the normal value range compared to the reference value. These cases showed that IL-2, IL-4, TNF-α, IFN-γ and C reactive protein level is not associated with severe COVID-19 pathology.

The investigators also reported that levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in some severe COVID-19 patients were over the reference values, indicating that these patients had severe clinical characteristics independent of circulating levels of IL-2, IL-4, TNF-α, IFN-γ and CRP. IL-6 levels in 16 patients were above the reference range of 1.18-5.3 pg/L, with levels of 0-36.3 pg/L recorded in all 25 patients. In addition, 14 patients had IL-10 levels above the reference range of 0.19-4.91 pg/L, with levels of 4.96-12.44 pg/L observed across the 25 patients.

The authors concluded that some reports had shown cytokine storm was correlated with severity and mortality of COVID-19 patients, but the correlation does not indicate causation. More viral replication also could drive consequent severity of COVID-19. The authors said that the hypothesis that blocking cytokine storm eases COVID-19 severity needs to be more carefully investigated based on their observation. The study was published on June 10, 2020 in the Journal of Medical Virology.

Related Links:
Harbin Medical University


Gold Member
Quality Control Material
iPLEX Pro Exome QC Panel
Collection and Transport System
PurSafe Plus®
Sperm Quality Analyis Kit
QwikCheck Beads Precision and Linearity Kit
ESR Analyzer
TEST1 2.0
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: New evidence shows viscoelastic testing can improve assessment of blood clotting during postpartum hemorrhage (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Viscoelastic Testing Could Improve Treatment of Maternal Hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage, severe bleeding after childbirth, remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide, yet many of these deaths are preventable. Standard care can be hindered by delays... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The collaboration aims to improve access to Hb variant testing with the Gazelle POC diagnostic platform (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

Terumo BCT and Hemex Health Collaborate to Improve Access to Testing for Hemoglobin Disorders

Millions of people worldwide living with sickle cell disease and other hemoglobin disorders experience delayed diagnosis and limited access to effective care, particularly in regions where testing is scarce.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.