Usefulness of laboratory parameters and chest CT in the early diagnosis of COVID-19

Can serum interleukin 34 levels be used as an indicator for the prediction and prognosis of COVID-19?

OBJECTIVE

Interleukin 34 (IL-34) is a molecule whose expression is increased in conditions such as autoimmune disorders, inflammation, and infections. Our study aims to determine the role of IL-34 in the diagnosis, follow-up, and prognosis of Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19).

METHOD

A total of 80 cases were included in the study as 40 COVID-19 positive patient groups and 40 COVID-19 negative control groups. The COVID-19-positive group consisted of 20 intensive-care unit (ICU) patients and 20 outpatients. Serum IL-34, c-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, D-dimer, troponin I, hemogram, and biochemical parameters of the cases were studied and compared between groups.

RESULTS

IL-34 levels were significantly higher in the COVID-19-positive group than in the negative group. IL-34 levels increased in correlation with CRP in predicting the diagnosis of COVID-19. IL-34 levels higher than 31.75 pg/m predicted a diagnosis of COVID-19. IL-34 levels did not differ between the outpatient and ICU groups in COVID-19-positive patients. IL-34 levels were also not different between those with and without lung involvement.

CONCLUSION

While IL-34 levels increased in COVID-19-positive patients and were successful in predicting the diagnosis of COVID-19, it was not found to be significant in determining lung involvement, risk of intensive care hospitalization, and prognosis. The role of IL-34 in COVID-19 deserves further evaluation.

CO-RADS score and its correlation with clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with COVID-19

Background

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection and serological antibody tests give a proof of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Several variables can influence the consequences of these tests. Inflammatory markers among mild and severe patients of COVID-19 showed dissimilarity in inflammatory markers while computed tomography (CT) in patients infected with COVID-19 used to evaluate infection severity. The aim of this study is to investigate the application of the COVID-19 Reporting and Data System (CO-RADS) classification in COVID-19 patients and its relation to clinical and laboratory finding.

Results

One hundred patients suspected to have COVID-19 infection were involved. Their age was 49.6 ± 14.7. Fever and cough were the frequent presenting symptoms. Patients with positive PCR were significantly associated with dyspnea and higher inflammatory markers. Lymphopenia had sensitivity of 63.6% and specificity of 91.7%. Combination of PCR and lymphopenia increased both sensitivity and specificity. CT findings in relation to PCR showed sensitivity of 90.5% and specificity of 25%. CO-RADS score showed positive correlation with age and inflammatory biomarkers and negative correlation with absolute lymphocyte count (ALC).

Conclusions

CT finding was more prominent in older patients with COVID-19 and associated with higher inflammatory biomarkers and lower ALC which were correlated with CO-RADS score. Patients with positive PCR had more symptoms and inflammatory marker. Combination of PCR with either lymphopenia or CT finding had more sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in diagnosis