MACROPHAGE INFLAMMATORY PROTEINS AS MARKERS OF SEVERE COVID-19

COVID-19 infection is accompanied by the intensive secretion of cytokines, including macrophage inflammatory proteins (MIP-1A, MIP-1B), especially in patients with with the severe disease. Objective. To determine the serum concentrations of MIP-1A and MIP-1B in patients with severe COVID-19. Subjects and methods. Examinations were made in 49 patients with severe COVID-19 (a study group) and in 30 patients with moderate COVID-19 (a comparison group). The patients’ clinical and laboratory parameters were analyzed; the serum levels of macrophage inflammatory proteins (MIP-1A, MIP-1B) were studied by solid-phase ELISA. Results. The excess level of MIP-1A was observed in 42 (84%) patients in the study group and in 3 (10%) in the comparison group; the mean concentrations of MIP-1A were 156.79 and 3.71 pg/ml, respectively. MIP-1B was detected in 48 (96%) patients in the study group and in 11 (36.7%) in the comparison group; the mean concentrations of MIP-1B were 152.62 and 7.53 pg/ml, respectively. The groups showed a statistically significant (p < 0.01) correlation between the MIP-1A and MIP-1B concentrations; Pearson’s correlation coefficient was 0.756. The ROC analysis determined the high potential of MIP-1A and MIP-1B as prognostic markers. At the same time, the area under the curve (AUC) is estimated to be 0.919, which indicates the possibility of using MIP-1A and MIP-1B as markers of disease severity. Conclusion. Severe COVID-19 is accompanied by a more pronounced elevation in serum MIP-1A and MIP-1B, which allows these indicators to be considered as potential markers of the progression of COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, MIP-1A, MIP-1B, COVID-19, severe course, MIP-1A, MIP-1B, prognosis, mortality