Published January 1, 2023 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Importance of screening severe COVID-19 patients for IFN-λ1, IL-6 and anti-S1 IgG levels

Creators

  • 1. Ege Univ, Dept Infect Dis, Fac Med, Bornova, Izmir, Turkiye
  • 2. Minist Hlth, Natl Virol Reference Cent Lab, Gen Directorate Publ Hlth, Ankara, Turkiye
  • 3. Ege Univ, Dept Biotechnol, Grad Sch Nat & Appl Sci, Bornova, Izmir, Turkiye
  • 4. Ege Univ, Fac Med, Dept Microbiol, Bornova, Izmir, Turkiye
  • 5. Ege Univ, Dept Chest Dis, Fac Med, Bornova, Izmir, Turkiye
  • 6. Ege Univ, Fac Med, Dept Radiol, Bornova, Izmir, Turkiye
  • 7. Ege Univ, Res & Applicat Ctr Drug Dev & Pharmocokinet, Bornova, Izmir, Turkiye

Description

Cytokine storm is an important cause of death in COVID-19 patients. A recent clinical study showed that administration of recombinant interferon lambda 1 (IFN-lambda 1 or IL-29) may prevent severe COVID-19. On the other hand, IL-6 has been associated as a prognostic marker of worsening for COVID-19 patients. The objective of this study is to screen IFN-lambda 1, IL-6 and antibody levels in consecutive serum sample sets of COVID-19 patients. A total of 365 serum samples collected from 208 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were analyzed for IFN-lambda 1 and IL-6 levels as well as SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and anti-S1 IgG antibodies. Analyses of serum samples for cytokine levels showed that IFN-lambda 1 (>8 pg/mL) and IL-6 (>2 pg/mL) were detected in approximately 64% and 21% patients, respectively. A decrement in IFN-lambda 1 levels and IL-6 levels above 35 pg/mL can be sign of clinical severity and upcoming dead. An increment in IL-6 levels wasn't detected in every COVID-19 patient but a decrement in IL-6 levels was related to clinical improvement. Importantly, the detection of IFN-lambda 1 level together with an increase in anti-S1 IgG antibody response were observed in clinically improved patients. Screening se-vere COVID-19 patients for IFN-lambda 1, IL-6, and anti-S1 IgG antibody levels during their hospital stay especially in intensive care units may be beneficial to monitor the clinical status and management of treatment strategies. Importantly, detection of IFN-lambda 1 together with protective IgG antibody response can be an indication of clinical improvement in severe COVID-19 patients and these patients may be discharged from the hospital soon.

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