Biomarkers of inflammation and multisystem tissue and organ damage in patients with COVID-19

  • Jana Arsenijevic AU BENU, Kragujevac, Serbia
  • Dragan Milovanovic University of Kragujevac, Serbia, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology
  • Slobodan Jankovic University of Kragujevac, Serbia, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology
  • Danijela Jovanovic University of Kragujevac, Serbia, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Surgery
  • Jelena Djordjevic University of Kragujevac, Serbia, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Nuclear medicine
  • Sara Mijailovic University of Kragujevac, Serbia, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Medical Statistics and Informatics
  • Andjela Matic University of Kragujevac, Serbia, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical technology
  • Mirela Jevtic General Hospital Uzice, Serbia, Department of ginecology and obstetrics
  • Milena Gencic Institute for Cardiovascular disease “Dedinje“ Belgrade, Serbia, Vascular Surgery Clinic
  • Vladimir Jurisic University of Kragujevac, Serbia, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pathophysiology
  • Olgica Mihaljevic University of Kragujevac, Serbia, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pathophysiology
  • Marijana Stanojević Pirković Biohemija, Fakultet medicinskih nauka, Klinički centar, Kragujevac
Keywords: biomarkers, COVID 19, inflammation, multisystem damage

Abstract


Objective. The importance of in vitro laboratory diagnostic tests for COVID-19 lies in assessing disease severity, monitoring patients, therapeutic monitoring, and predicting disease prognosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate inflammation biomarkers in COVID-19 patients and their association with biomarkers of cardiomyocyte, liver, and kidney damage, and how they impact disease progression.

                                       

Methods. The study included 50 patients, 38 (76%) male and 12 (24%) female, with an average age of 64.38 ± 10.95 years, treated for COVID-19 in 2021 at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases of the University Clinical Center Kragujevac. Biomarkers of inflammation, cardiomyocyte, liver, and kidney damage were analyzed at the beginning of hospitalization and on the tenth day using standard laboratory methods and autoanalyzers.

 

Results. Analysis showed a significant increase in inflammation parameters on the tenth day of hospitalization compared to initial values: leukocytes (p=0.003), neutrophils (p=0.002), platelets (p<0.001), C-reactive protein (p<0.001), PCT (p=0.011), and IL-6 (p=0.004). Hepatocyte damage biomarkers (ALT (p=0.005), GGT (p=0.033)), and kidney function biomarkers (urea (p<0.001) and creatinine (p=0.042)) also increased significantly. Positive correlations were found between inflammation biomarkers and cardiomyocyte and hepatocyte damage at admission. CRP and PCT concentrations were associated with increased risk of cardiomyocyte damage, while neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) predicted heart and kidney damage.

 

Conclusion. Systemic inflammation in COVID-19 patients leads to disruptions in body homeostasis, reflected in changes in inflammation biomarkers and multi-system tissue and organ damage. Monitoring these parameters can help predict disease progression and complications.

 

Key words: biomarkers, COVID 19, inflammation, multisystem damage

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Published
2025/03/21
Section
Original Scientific Paper