Serum IL-6 as a Vital Predictor of COVID-19 Severity in Iraqi Patients
Author(s): Haifa Hmood Kareem* and Batool Hassan Al-Ghurabi
Abstract
Background: During the great attack, Iraq first reported a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in Najaf on February, 2020. COVID-19 stimulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 which is a mediator of lung inflammation.
Aim of study: The aim of this study was to estimate IL-6 levels and examine it's associated with COVID-19 severity.
Materials and Methods: 50 patients with COVID-19 and 35 healthy controls were participated in this case control study, their age range from 18 to 77 years. Oral hygiene index was used to determine oral health status. Serum obtained from patients and controls was analysed using ELISA to assess levels of IL-6.
Results: The present study found that there is significant elevation (P?0.05) in the median serum level of IL-6 among patients with COVID-19 as compared to healthy controls. As well, there is a significant difference (p?0.05) between severe group and each of moderate and mild groups, while there is no significant difference between moderate and mild group. Concerning oral hygiene, the level of serum IL-6 is significantly increased (p?0.05) in patients with poor oral hygiene than those patients with good oral hygiene.
Conclusion: Elevated IL-6 levels are associated with worse infection with SARS-CoV-2 and are an important predictor for COVID-19 patients in severe stage.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, cytokines, IL-6